Marathon’s roster is finally full of high school athletes, and the hard work the team, which is still young by most standards, put in as a middle school crew is paying off. The Fins are 2-0 to start the season after a pair of wins last week.
Marathon headed to Homestead to take on Colonial Christian on Feb. 20, pounding the Patriots in a 17-0 win. Senior Allison Garcia needed only 3 innings on the mound to end the game in a mercy-rule victory. Garcia struck out 7 and walked just 2 in a no-hitter to start her senior campaign in style. Garcia also registered a base hit in the game. Catcher Madelyn Thornton was 3-3 at the plate with a double, 2 singles and 3 RBIs. Sara Robinson and Shynell McGuire had a double and single each while Elena Eubank and Allison Helms each hit a double. Ryleigh Garcia and Maeve Merryman both singled to account for the remainder of Marathon’s hits.
Two days later, Marathon faced LaSalle at home. The Fins won 8-2 against the Royal Lions, racking up 9 hits with 2 from Robinson. Robinson was elusive on the bases, stealing 4 in the game. Eubank, Helms, Thornton, McGuire, both Garcias and Summer Haines all had singles. Allison Garcia went 6 innings on the mound, then handed the ball to her sister Ryleigh, who finished out the game for Marathon. The Lady Fins will return home for a March 1 game against Ransom Everglades.
The Lady Conchs started their season off with an unusual pair of losses in double-header action Feb. 23 at home. Westminster Christian stunned the reigning regional champs 14-0 in game number one. Vera Rodger singled and doubled while Scarlet Niles and Shylo Sanchez added a base hit each for Key West. Nevaeh Arnold lasted just over 3 innings and Brianna Brenner finished out the game, both fanning 4 batters in the loss.
With little time to regroup, Key West made some adjustments and made it onto the scoreboard in game two, but the 9-1 loss was not the result they were hoping for. Brenner lasted 7 innings for the Conchs, striking out 5, walking 4 and allowing 9 hits. The Warriors held Key West to just 2 hits – 1 from Niles, a single, plus a double from Rodger.
On Feb. 24, the Lady Conchs found their groove against visiting Keys Gate, winning 3-0 against the Knights. Brenner pitched 7 innings, striking out 8 with no walks and giving up a pair of hits in Key West’s first win of the season. Julene Vega had a pair of base hits in the game. Roger added another single to her stats, as did Skye Sterling and Alexa Condella. Next up for the Conchs is Mater Lakes Academy at home on March 2.
Coral Shores started their season off 0-2 with a pair of losses last week, but head coach Lesa Bonee is not deterred. The team is without an upperclassman and is working on the fundamentals in a rebuilding year. The Lady ’Canes lost 19-1 against Somerset South Homestead on Feb. 20, then suffered a 20-5 setback against Colonial Christian two days later. The Hurricanes will have an opportunity at redemption in their next game when they have a rematch against Colonial Christian, this time on home turf, March 7 at 4 p.m.
