JONESBORO --- The Marion softball team generally played well enough to win on Tuesday evening at Nettleton aside from two innings. Unfortunately, those two innings were enough to rush the Raiders past the Pats in a crucial 5A East doubleheader. Nettleton scored five fourth-inning runs in the opener en route to a 9-0 victory, and the Raiders scored both of their runs in the sixth inning to take the nightcap 2-0 at Raider Field. Marion senior pitcher Anna Hitchman fired 13 innings at Nettleton, struck out 15 batters, allowed 11 hits, and gave up just four earned runs. Hitchman and Nettleton right-hander Acelyn Hart swapped zeroes in the first ballgame into the bottom of the fourth inning. That's when the Raiders rallied up, sent 11 batters to the plate, and scored five times, followed by three more in the fifth frame to take control of the contest. Senior Marion all-state performer and shortstop Kelsey “Keppes” Eppes paced the Patriots offense in the first game with two hits, including a double, while Hitchman also finished with a double, and Jordyn Stinson, Chloe Miller, and Kayson “K. Belle” McClain also finished with hits. The nightcap was more of the same as the old conference rivals battled scoreless into the top of the sixth when Nettleton scored twice. Eppes cracked another double in the second ballgame, while Stinson and Kolbie Triplett also recorded hits. WHAT'S NEXT? Marion travels on Friday for a non-conference game at Wynne, and the Patriots hit the road again on Tuesday, April 9 when Marion plays at Paragould. The Paragould conference doubleheader will be broadcast live on MarionPatriots.com and the Marion Patriots Activities Network mobile app. Coverage will begin at 4:15. 5A EAST RESULTS FROM 4/2/24 Nettleton 9, Marion 0 Nettleton 2, Marion 0 Searcy 15, Paragould 0 Searcy 16, Paragould 9 Valley View 15, Batesville 0 Valley View 15, Batesville 0 Greene Co. Tech at W. Memphis postponed 5A EAST SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 9 Marion at Paragould Searcy at W. Memphis Batesville at Greene Co. Tech Valley View at Nettleton