Best in the North, again

Marshall Academy’s recent dominance over Kirk Academy on the baseball field hit an all-time high Wednesday of last week.

The Patriots celebrated back-to-back North State championships over the Raiders, this time in Grenada after 10-run ruling their rivals in five innings the second straight night.

“I’m overwhelmed with emotion,” coach Bruce Branch said. “Our guys were not going to be denied. It really is special ­ being able to lead this team.”

Dating back to last season, MA has won 10 of 11 versus Kirk and seven straight.

With a 10-0 rout at home and then a 13-3 shellacking at Kirk last week, this senior-laden Marshall squad will have the opportunity to claim the school’s first ever state crown in baseball. The Pats face South State champ Wayne Academy in a best-of-three Class 4A series this week.

“I always have a good feeling about this group,” Branch said. “I know we will compete to the end.” In game one of the North State series Tuesday, May 10, at home, Marshall’s Matt Bourdon hurled a no-hitter as his team blanked the Raiders.

“He answered the bell,” Branch said.

Bourdon, 9-0 on the season with a 1.896 ERA, struck out nine and walked three.

The Patriot offense got production throughout, but “the bottom of the lineup carried us,” Branch said.

Jack Smith, the number seven hitter, had a pair of hits. Jamie Graves, number nine in the batting order, drove in two runs with a double.

Others playing a part in the nine-hit attack were Rusty Bolden with two hits, including a double, and one run-battedin. Landon Houston had one hit and two RBIs. Jordan Bonds had a hit and an RBI, as did Bourdon. Colton Neal also contributed a hit.

MA scored three in the first, three in the third, one in the fourth and three in the fifth.

“We felt that if we could put pressure on them early and score some runs, we would have success,” Branch said. “Our guys are really battling at the plate.”

He also gave credit to the MA fan base, which packed the home side.

“Teams that come here aren’t used to the environment that we present,” Branch said. “It’s tough on anybody. We know we have a weapon when we are here.”

The Patriots wrapped up the series, the North crown and a spot in the state title series the next night in Grenada. They sealed the deal with nine runs in the top of the fifth.

“This is such a rivalry, and our guys just came to play with so much energy and determination,” Branch said.

MA went up 2-0 in the top of the first, but Kirk scratched back and led 3-2 going to the fourth.

The Pats responded with two in the fourth and then exploded an inning later.

After shutting down the Raiders in the bottom of the fifth, they enjoyed a pile-up celebration on the mound of their rivals.

“It was awesome,” Branch said. “I’m just so excited for these guys.”

Smith again carried the big bat. The junior connected for three hits and an RBI.

“He’s getting hot at the right time,” said Branch, whose team had eight hits.

Bonds set the tone in the first with a double and two RBIs after Kirk intentionally walked Houston.

“He delivered, and that’s what he has done all year,” Branch said.

Getting one hit and two RBIs each in the game were Colton Atherton, Bol den and Neal. Walker Sanders also had a hit. Bonds totaled three RBIs for the game. Colton Foster and Jamie Graves each drove in a run.

From the mound, Sanders recorded the win. In four innings, he struck out four, walked one and gave up eight hits.

Atherton threw one inning in relief. He struck out one and got two ground-ball outs.

The Patriots are appearing in back-to-back state championship series, losing in game three last year at Riverfield Academy (La.).

Marshall (31-6) was scheduled to host Wayne Tuesday of this week in game one. The series then shifts to Waynes boro Thursday at 6 p.m. If a game three is needed, it will be played Saturday at 6 p.m. on the MA campus.

Branch said there is no doubt in his mind that this group of Patriots is playing for his late daughter Janie, who died in an automobile accident in September of last year at age 3.

“We have ‘Janie Strong’ painted on our field, we have it on our hats, and all the kids are wearing bracelets, too,” he said. “I can’t help but think she is with us. That’s the emotional part of it.”