On a windy, chilly evening, the offense for both teams was hot early on, but it was the pitching that ultimately dominated in the Marshfield Blue Jays 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Bison on Thursday evening.
Marshfield starting pitcher Eric Nunn was nearly unhittable after pitching into trouble in the second inning, striking out seven batters on three hits to earn the victory.
“He’s pretty mentally there anyway,” said Marshfield head coach James McAnarney. “He swims a lot and is used to the competition, so there isn’t much that really gets him rattled.”
With a quick first inning by both teams, it was the Bison who wasted no time getting on base in the top half of the second inning.
After three straight singles from junior Drew Kays and sophomores Cody Anderson and Braden Matthews, juniors Devin Sprague and Colby Kramer each hit sacrifices, and the Bison quickly found themselves with a 2-0 lead.
It would not take long for the Blue Jays to get the runs back, however, as they doubled the Buffalo score in their half of the second inning thanks in large part to some miscues by the Bison.
Ryan Coffman walked to lead off the inning found himself on third base after a stolen base and throwing error on the Bison catcher that sailed into centerfield. Junior Kellan Maxwell would single up the middle to cut Buffalo’s lead in half, 2-1.
Stealing second and third, Maxwell would also score a few batters later on a wild pitch by Bison starting pitcher Tanner Cowin.
With the Blue Jays still batting and three walks and an RBI single later, Marshfield suddenly found themselves with a 4-2 lead.
“We had a few walks in there and a couple of key hits that really got us the momentum,” McAnarney said. “We just made the most of our chances, and it just kind of happened for us.”
The runs would be all Nunn would need the rest of the way, but that does not mean it was easy.
In fact, it’s rarely ever easy.
Even after retiring 14 consecutive batters, the Bison made it interesting in the top of the sixth inning, even without recording a hit.
With two quick outs to begin the top of the sixth inning, Nunn walked Buffalo sophomore Billy McCune and Kays. McCune would get to third base on a wild pitch and end up scoring on a botched pickoff attempt on Kays. Suddenly, Buffalo pulled within one run, 4-3.
After two quick outs by Marshfield relief pitcher Nick Visconte in the top of the seventh inning, the Bison would load the bases after a walk, hit by pitch and an infield single. Senior Wade Owens would be called upon to close out the game. He would do just that as he got Buffalo’s Austin Williams to ground out to second to end the game.
“They pitched great,” McAnarney said of his pitchers. “We had a great outing Tuesday night and another one tonight, and that is what we need. We are also playing good defense now. Our thing is trying to get better every game, and I think that’s really what we are doing.”
Even with a rough start to the season for the Blue Jays, Marshfield is starting to put together some quality games as the season progresses.
“The kids are buying in to what we need to do,” said McAnarney. “They always continue battling and don’t give up. Winning close ballgames will pay off dividends at the end of the year.”
With the win, Marshfield improves to 2-8 on the season, as the Bison fall to 6-4.
Next up, the Bison return home on April 12 as they host Reeds Spring, while the Blue Jays play in the Branson Tournament on April 8 and 9.
Buffalo 020 001 0—3
Marshfield 040 000 0—4
