An early three-run deficit just a couple of days before a massive season-ending conference doubleheader could not prevent Marion from coming up with a win on Senior Night. The Patriots trailed the Covington (TN) Chargers 3-0 entering the bottom of the third on Friday night at First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas Stadium, but Marion circled the wagons, scoring the game's final five runs to take down a 5-3 victory in the lid-lifter. The nightcap went Covington's way by a final tally of 9-1. Marion logged 10 hits in the opener, including two apiece from senior centerfielder Jett Sutton (2-3 with two RBI and a run), and freshman Solomon Flores (2-4 with a run). Junior Davis York mashed a lengthy home run to left field, his second of the spring, as junior Jack Carter threw six quality innings, striking out four, and allowing just three runs to earn the victory. Senior Daxton Davis worked a perfect seventh, including a pair of strikeouts, to take down the save. Marion (16-9 overall, 8-4 5A East) threatened in each of the first two innings, but it was the Chargers who struck for a pair of runs in the second, and one in the third to fashion a three-run lead entering the home half of the third. But the Pats rallied up when junior shortstop Matthew Kearney was hit by a pitch, Sutton legged out a bunt single, and senior Connor Taylor walked to load the bags with nobody out. Kearney came down on a wild pitch to get within 3-1 and third baseman Cohen Bumbaugh walked to reignite the bases. York plated Sutton when the former was hit by a pitch, and Marion had finally broken through against Covington, trailing now 3-2 after three. The score held until the bottom of the fifth when York hit a towering round-tripper to left field to tie the game at 3, and when junior Landon Miller walked, Flores singled, and Carson Catt drew a free pass, the Pats were threatening again with the sacks full of Pats and nobody down. But Covington retired the next two hitters before Sutton pulled a 3-1 pitch into left field for a single that delivered senior Slade Inman and Flores for a 5-3 advantage. Davis entered for the seventh and struck out the first batter on three pitches before inducing a fly out on a 3-1 offering. Davis then sat down the last Charger on three pitches again to record his third save of the spring. The second varsity game went Covington's way as the Chargers scored six times in the fourth to pull away for a 9-1 decision. Kearney (2-3 in the second game with a run scored) and Miller (2-3) each delivered two hits in the nightcap. SENIOR NIGHT Marion seniors Daxton Davis, Slade Inman, Jay Sharp, Jett Sutton, and Connor Taylor were recognized for their contributions to the Marion baseball program in between games last Friday night. WHAT'S NEXT? Marion hosts Greene County Tech (18-5 overall, 8-4 5A East) Tuesday afternoon beginning at 4:30 for the final 5A East doubleheader of the season. Marion, Tech, and Batesville all sport identical 8-4 records in the 5A East, so the Tech series will have a massive say in where teams finish. Marion split last week at Batesville, which finishes against Nettleton. Marion's magic number to clinch a state playoff berth is one, meaning the Pats need just one win in two tries against Tech to make the playoffs, or Searcy needs to lose just one out of two against league-leading Valley View on Tuesday for Marion to qualify. 5A EAST STANDINGS ON MAY 1 SCHOOL CONF. RECORD Valley View 12-0+* Marion 8-4 Greene County Tech 8-4 Batesville 8-4 Searcy 7-5 Nettleton 3-9& Paragould 2-10& W. Memphis 0-12& +clinched playoff berth *clinched conference title &eliminated from playoff contention