The Marion Patriot softball team won four out of five contests during spring break at a tournament in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The Patriots (7-3 overall, 1-1 5A East) went 3-0 on March 21, blanking Addison 9-0, pulling away from Goodpasture Christian 11-4, and tripping Lincoln (Alabama) 4-3. Marion muscled past W.S. Neal 8-3 on March 22 before ending its run with a 5-0 defeat on March 23 against Curry. Marion muscled out 12 hits in the lid-lifter against Addison. The Patriots' first two batters, Kelsey Baker and Emerson Miller, each drove in three runs, recorded two hits and scored twice, and each belted home runs. Kelsey Eppes finished two for three with a run scored, and Jacey Holder was two for three with a pair of RBI. Sophomore Anna Hitchman struck a double, and Brianna Morquecho scored twice and stole two bases. All-state junior southpaw Anna Murphy worked 5.2 innings, recorded seven strikeouts, and surrendered just two hits inside the circle. The Patriots scored all 11 runs in the first four innings against Goodpasture Christian. Marion recorded 13 hits in the second game, with eight of nine starters recording knocks. All-state junior centerfielder McKenzie Shinabery finished two for three against GC, driving in four runs and scoring twice. Hitchman finished two for three with a pair of doubles and an RBI, while Morquecho reached base three times, twice on hits, stole two bases, and delivered an RBI and a run. Eppes also finished two for three. Senior Gracie Griffin finished two for two with a pair of runs scored, an RBI, and a triple. Baker, Miller, and Shinabery struck doubles. Freshman Micah Cupples started and worked 3.1 innings against GC, allowing five hits and four runs to earn the win. Marion rallied to victory in the third game last Monday, scoring all four of its runs in the fourth and final inning for the 4-3 conquest over Lincoln. Miller logged two of Marion's three hits against Lincoln, including a double. The all-state senior third baseman also swiped three bags. Eppes singled and scored, while Morquecho and Baker recorded RBI. Murphy worked 3.2 innings, allowed six hits and three runs (one earned) to notch her third victory of the spring. The Pats led W.S. Neal 5-1 after two innings and never looked back en route to an 8-3 win on Tuesday. Marion took advantage of eight walks and scored eight times despite recording just two hits. Miller reached base and scored three times (one double and two walks), and stole two bags. Shinabery delivered Marion's other hit, walked, drove in two runs, stole a base, and scored once. Baker walked and scored twice and stole a base, while Morquecho walked, stole a base, and scored. Hitchman started inside the circle and spun three innings, allowing seven hits while striking out four and allowing just three runs. Murphy worked the last two innings, struck out a pair, and surrendered just one hit. Baker, Shinabery, Murphy, Hitchman, Holder, and Morquecho accounted for Marion's six hits in the 5-0 finale loss to Curry. Baker and Miller drew walks. Marion opens its home conference schedule Tuesday afternoon when it hosts Jonesboro in a 5A East doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30.