Hounds headed for state tourney

The Marmaduke Greyhounds punched their ticket for the Class 2A State Baseball Tournament with a 13-5 win over Cotter in the first round of the 2A North Regional Tournament Saturday in Walnut Ridge.

MHS junior Mason Knight came away with the complete game victory, allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out seven, walking three and hitting three batters.

It was a slow start for the Greyhounds, who celebrated their prom the night before the contest. Cotter was able to take a 2-0 lead in the second inning, but MHS tied things up in their half of the frame when Cody Taylor homered with Morgan Hawley on base.

Two MHS fielding errors in the third allowed Cotter to claim a 3-2 lead.

The 'Hounds climbed ahead for good in the bottom of the third. Dexter Jordan doubled and stole third before coming home on a wild pitch. Zack Carter hit an RBI single to bring in Hawley from third to make it 4-3.

Marmaduke scored four in the fourth and fifth, then notched one more run in the third to top off their offensive show with 13 runs.

Jordan finished 3-3 with two RBIs. Ray Taylor and Dane Barnum each went 2-3 with two RBIs. Cody Taylor added a two-run homerun in the win. Knight, Jacob Mason and Hawley added a hit and an RBI each for Marmaduke.

Marmaduke was downed Monday in their semifinals meeting with Walnut Ridge, 7-2.

Jordan finished 2-4 with an RBI to lead Marmaduke in the loss.

The 'Hounds were slated to face Marked Tree in the tourney's consolation game on Tuesday.