Tuesday's first game against Paragould (10-6 overall, 5-3 5A East) was a heartbreaker for Marion Patriots softball (14-7, 7-1), as they lost the lead late in a 3-2 defeat. The Lady Pats gave up the tying and go-ahead runs in the top of the seventh to give them their first conference loss of the season. Caroline Burrow led things off on the rubber for Paragould. The righty allowed two hits and one run over four innings, striking out one. Anna Murphy was in the circle for the Patriots. The sophomore surrendered three runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out three with no walks. McKenzie Shinabery, Micah Cupples, and Emerson Miller each collected one hit for Marion. Paragould totaled six hits, out-hitting Marion 6-3. However, Murphy had all the right stuff in game 2, allowing zero runs and beating Paragould by a score of 10-0. Murphy earned the win for the Patriots. The lefthander allowed four hits and zero runs over six innings, striking out four without giving up a walk. Emerson Miller led the Patriots’ offense by driving in four runs in the second game. She recorded two RBIs each on her single in the second and home run in the fourth. The Lady Pats scored three runs in the sixth inning to go up by 10 to initiate the 10-run mercy rule. Murphy, Jacey Holder, and Emma Skoff all drove in runs in the frame. Lauren Stanley started the game for Paragould. She lasted three and two-thirds innings, allowing three hits and six runs while striking out five. Burrow threw two and a third innings in relief. The Lady Pats tallied nine hits in the game to Paragould’s four. Miller and Kelsey Baker each had multiple hits for Marion. Information provided by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.