The Marion softball team stayed sharp with a couple of non-conference games over the past few days. Marion capped last week's action by toppling Palestine-Wheatley on the road last Thursday 8-0, and the Pats downed old AAAA East rival Wynne Monday night 6-2 at Marion Sports Complex. The Palestine-Wheatley victory doubled as Marion's sixth shutout of the 2023 season, not counting a benefit scrimmage victory over Southside (13-0), and an unofficial decision two weeks ago at Tennessee power Arlington. Marion led Arlington 5-0 after the top of the fourth when the game was called due to rain. Marion improved to 17-6 overall with its four-run victory over Wynne by scoring twice in the first inning and three more times in the fourth to account for the difference in the game. MARION 8, PALESTINE-WHEATLEY 0 Marion mustered nine hits in last Thursday's game in St. Francis County, including three by senior catcher Jacey Holder (3-4 at Palestine-Wheatley), and two apiece from senior pitcher Anna Murphy (2-3 with two RBI and a walk) senior centerfielder Mckenzie Shinabery (2-4 with two RBI and two runs scored). Senior Brianna Morquecho had a hit and walked, and junior Ella McConnell registered a hit. Senior Claire Hall and sophomore Chloe Miller each drew a pair of walks. Murphy may have been effective inside the circle as she was with the bat as the southpaw fired a complete game, striking out four Patriots and surrendering just three hits. The senior faced just four batters over the minimum at PW. The Pats opened the scoring in the top of the second when Holder ripped a single with one out before giving way to courtesy runner Alexis Jones. Jones stole second and scored when Murphy connected on a clutch single for a 1-0 Marion lead. The first three Marion Patriots reached in the top of the third as Hall walked, Shinabery singled, and Morquecho walked to load the bags. A Kelsey Eppes sacrifice fly delivered Hall just before Marion executed a double steal to move Shinabery to third and Morquecho to second. Shinabery came down on a passed ball for a 3-0 Marion advantage. Holder sparked another Marion rally in the sixth when she roped a lead-off single before Jones entered again to run. Jones swiped second and scored on a Murphy ground out. McConnell struck a single to left field just before Hall coaxed a walk to give Marion two on with two away. Courtesy runner Olivia Morquecho scored from third on a passed ball to give the visitors a 6-0 lead, and Shinabery plated Hall with a single. Marion capped the scoring in the inning when Shinabery came down on an error. Holder singled with one out in the seventh ahead of a Murphy walk. Jones swiped second and third representing Holder and scored on an error to push Marion to its eight-run cushion. Murphy nailed down the victory by retiring 16 of the final 18 batters that she faced. MARION 6, WYNNE 2 The Marion offense produced 10 hits in Monday's non-conference tuneup against Wynne, including two apiece from senior infielder Kelsey Baker (2-3 against Wynne with an RBI and a run scored), junior outfielder Kelsey Eppes (2-3 with a run), and junior Anna Hitchman (2-3 with two RBI). Marion only struck out one time. Murphy and Hitchman piggybacked the load inside the circle as Murphy worked the first four innings, allowing just two hits and an unearned run while striking out a pair. Hitchman took over in the fifth and threw the final three innings and allowed an unearned run while issuing three walks with a strikeout. Marion started the scoring with some two-out magic as Baker and Eppes pounded singles, setting the stage for Hitchman to deliver both with a hit of her own and a 2-0 Marion lead after an inning. Leading 2-1 in the third, Morquecho roped a one-out single before swiping second and third and scoring on an Eppes single for a 3-1 Marion advantage. Holder and Murphy singled leading off the fourth, and Jones came around on a Jordyn Stinson ground out. Maddie Cupples came to the plate when Shinabery struck a sac fly for a 5-1 Marion bulge. Baker drove in Marion's final run of the evening with a single that delivered Olivia Morquecho. WHAT'S NEXT? Marion continues 5A East play Tuesday night when it travels to Batesville for a conference doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. 5A EAST STANDINGS AS OF APRIL 24 SCHOOL CONF. RECORD (Top 4 teams make playoffs) Greene Co. Tech 10-0+ Marion 9-1+ Searcy 8-2+ Valley View 7-3+ Nettleton 2-8 Batesville 2-8 Paragould 1-9 W. Memphis 1-9 +clinched postseason 5A EAST DOUBLEHEADERS ON APRIL 25 Marion at Batesville Greene County Tech at Searcy Valley View at Paragould Nettleton at W. Memphis