As the calendar screams towards May, Marion's baseball and softball teams continue to jockey for position in the competitive 5A East. Each club is still very much alive for a conference championship, while softball could fall out of the playoffs depending on how the final six league contests go. The spotlight burns bright on Marion baseball as the Pats (20-5 overall, 9-1 5A East) eye the second conference title in school history (2018), and the first-ever regular-season league crown. Eyes from across the state will converge on First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas Stadium, home of John Robbins Field, on Tuesday afternoon starting at 4:30, when the Patriots host the Batesville Pioneers (14-5, 7-3), and senior University of Arkansas commit Gage Wood. Many expect Marion senior right-hander Chase Armstrong to take the ball against Wood and Batesville in the first game. Armstrong, an Arkansas State signee, leads Marion in innings pitched (34.2), strikeouts (66), and ERA (1.41). Armstrong likely starts at third base in the nightcap. Armstrong has dominated in 2022, but don't sleep on senior righty Ben Gerrard, who's expected to start the second Batesville game. Gerrard ranks second on the team in innings pitched (33), strikeouts (53), and third in ERA (2.3). Pitching and defense have carried Marion through most of the season, having surrendered two runs or fewer 15 times, but a rejuvenated lineup has helped push the Patriots to seven straight victories. During that prosperous stretch, Marion has averaged 11 runs per game. Catcher Dylan Kight (.356 batting average, .573 on-base percentage, and 17 RBI), Armstrong (.338 BA, .448 OBP, 26 RBI, and five home runs), Gage Watson (.280 BA,.400 OBP with 21 RBI, and three home runs), and Luke Bullins (.400 BA and .486 OBP) spark the Marion offense. This week boasts a pair of crucial conference doubleheaders for Marion softball, as the Pats host Batesville on Tuesday and travel to Paragould on Thursday. Marion sits at 6-2 in 5A East action right now, with Batesville (6-4 conference record), and Paragould (4-4 in league play) hot on the Pats' heels. Marion closes league action on Tuesday, May 3 at league-leading Greene County Tech (18-4-1 overall, 9-1 5A East). Marion owns head-to-head tiebreakers against West Memphis and Jonesboro by virtue of doubleheader sweeps, but the Pats split with Searcy (7-3 in league play) and Nettleton (4-6 5A East). Marion owns the runs advantage on Searcy and Nettleton should those clubs finish with identical records, but the margin for error is slim. The Pats enter the Batesville twin-bill with a 14-7 record, led by breakout springs from sophomores Kelsey Eppes (team-high .433 BA, .520 OBP, 22 RBI, 25 runs, and 10 walks), and Anna Hitchman (.429 BA, .573 OBP, with team-high six home runs and 33 RBI). Senior Emerson Miller (.418 BA, .524 OBP, with a team-high 10 doubles) ranks second with four home runs. Centerfielder McKenzie Shinabery (.400 BA, .494 OBP, with seven doubles, two triples, and a home run) ranks second with 30 RBI and third with 26 runs scored. Shortstop Brianna Morquecho has posted a line of .386/.463 with four doubles, 20 RBI, and 19 runs scored. The status of second baseman Kelsey Baker (.411 BA with .534, with 27 runs scored with three home runs and 11 RBI) is unclear. Marion softball's doubleheader with Batesville begins at 4:30 on Tuesday afternoon. The Paragould road double-dip also begins at 4:30 on Thursday, and those contests will be streamed live on MarionPatriots.com and on the Marion Patriots Activities Network mobile app.