It's not often that you can kill two birds with one stone late during spring sports in Arkansas, but Marion's softball team did just that on Thursday afternoon. For starters, Marion celebrated its seven seniors prior to the first pitch, recognizing them for their excellent careers with the softball program. After that, the Patriots welcomed 5A Central champion Beebe to Marion Sports Complex in what could very well be a state tournament preview. It was definitely a postseason atmosphere, as a big crowd witnessed a tight pitcher's duel that the Badgers took down 2-1 after scoring the game's final two runs. Beebe improved to 26-3 with the victory while Marion is now 19-9 in 2023. Marion opens its run at the Class 5A state tournament Thursday evening at 5:30 against Harrison, while Beebe opens the tournament on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. against White Hall. Beebe pitcher Kiki Pickens went the distance on Thursday by allowing just two hits and a single run. She struck out seven Patriots and walked just three, and she allowed just one hit after the first inning. She clubbed her round-tripper on a 2-2 count with one away in the top of the seventh by sneaking it just over the fence and inside the left-field foul pole to give the Badgers (26-3 overall, 14-0 5A Central) the lead for good. Pickens' heroics helped her outduel Marion (19-9, 11-3 5A East) senior lefty Anna Murphy, who also worked a complete game against Beebe. Murphy surrendered just 4 hits and 2 runs, only one of which was earned. Marion scored first in the bottom of the first when senior centerfielder Mckenzie Shinabery singled, stole second, and scored on a Kelsey Baker ground-rule double that two-hopped the centerfield fence and gave the hosts a 1-0 lead after a frame. Following the Marion rally though, Pickens and Beebe retired the next 16 Patriots in succession to keep the Badgers within striking distance. Beebe got even in the top of the fourth when Eva Goodwin reached on an error and scored when Phoebe Caldwell executed a suicide squeeze to knot the game at 1, but Murphy got the next two Badgers to squash the Beebe uprising. Marion threatened again in the bottom of the sixth despite the first two Patriots going down in order. The Patriot rally began when Brianna Morquecho singled to end Pickens' run of 16 straight outs, followed by walks by Baker and Kelsey Eppes. That summoned Marion third baseman Anna Hitchman, who struck a well-hit ball that Caldwell snagged and recorded a force out at third to end the threat. Murphy retired the lead-off batter in the seventh inning to bring Pickens into the box. She turned on the fifth pitch of the at-bat and sent it toward the left field corner, where it disappeared behind the fence for a dramatic go-ahead home run. Pickens took the ball for the seventh and after recording a strikeout, she walked Murphy, who gave way to courtesy runner Alexis Jones. Jones stole second, but Pickens induced a pair of groundouts to close out the one-run victory. WHAT'S NEXT? Marion is scheduled to play Monday at Class 6A power Bryant, and the Patriots open their run at the state tournament Thursday evening at 5:30 against Harrison. Should the Pats defeat Harrison, they would play at 12:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon against the Benton-Sylvan Hills winner. SENIOR NIGHT Marion seniors Kelsey Baker, Claire Hall, Jacey Holder, Elaina Lawhon, Brianna Morquecho, Anna Murphy, and Mckenzie Shinabery were recognized before the game. DOUBLES CHAMP Marion junior outfielder Kelsey Eppes became Marion's all-time doubles leader last week, surpassing Murphy, who's owned the record since 2021. CLASS 5A FIRST-ROUND STATE TOURNAMENT MATCHUPS THURSDAY, MAY 11 FIELD 1 Beebe-White Hall, 10 a.m. Greenwood-Searcy 12:30 p.m. Benton-Sylvan Hills 3 p.m. Marion-Harrison 5:30 p.m. FIELD 2 Greene County Tech-Mountain Home 10 a.m. Sheridan-Maumelle 12:30 p.m. Van Buren-Searcy 3 p.m. Vilonia-HS Lakeside 5:30 p.m.