MARION -- Hannah Nalley's two-run double in the fifth inning put the Marion High School softball team ahead to stay in a 4-2 win over McCracken County from Paducah (Ky.) in a marquee matchup Monday evening at the Crisp Sports Complex.
Marion improved to 13-1 with the win, while McCracken County's Mustangs dropped to 10-6.
"McCracken County is a really good team," said Marion coach Joy Neal. "Coming up with the timely hits was big for us."
Marion was behind early as the game's first batter, Ariel Fox, doubled and scored on a hit by Alli Douglas to put the Mustangs ahead quickly.
The Lady Wildcats tied it in the fourth after Marion hurler Ivy Smart singled, then went ahead in the fifth.
It started with the No. 9 batter in the lineup, Heaven Lawrence, leading off and getting drilled in the arm with a pitch. Keira Hance came up next and smacked a double off the fence, narrowly missing a home run.
That brought up Nalley and the left-handed swinging shortstop popped a double of her own to bring in Lawrence and Hance and give Marion a 3-1 lead.
"That changed the whole ballgame for us," Neal said. "Hannah's been working really hard taking her swings and working extra."
Tori Evans also doubled in the frame as Marion pushed the lead up to 4-1, then held on after an error helped the Mustangs score a run in the seventh.
It was an aggressive error, trying to get the runner at home plate, but the Lady Wildcats showed some slick defensive work in the game as well.
"Ivy pitched well again," Neal said. "We were really close to having three or four double plays, so I was really excited for the way our defense worked. They made some smooth transitions."
Marion is scheduled to travel to Cobden on Wednesday and then visit Mt. Vernon on Thursday this week.
