MARATHON — The Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds outhit the Marathon HS Red Raiders but dropped a 10-5 decision Saturday, May 9, at Marathon High School.
Marathon built an early lead and answered every Iola-Scandinavia threat to secure the victory. The Red Raiders scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning and four more in the third, then added a solo home run in the sixth to pull away.
Drew Woelfel sparked the Marathon first-inning rally with a two-run single. Ean Shuda followed with a run-scoring single, and Brayson Schneider drove in two more with a double, giving the Red Raiders a 5-0 advantage.
The Thunderbirds responded aggressively at the top of the second, scoring five runs on six hits to tie the game. Jose Gutierrez delivered a run-scoring single, Mason Morfey knocked in two with a single, RJ Opperman added an RBI single, and Chase Timdal drove in the fifth run on a groundout.
Marathon regained control in the bottom of the third with four runs. Evan DeBroux walked and scored, Quillan Kunkel reached on a fielder’s choice that produced a run, Blake Underwood singled to center to drive in another, and True Thurs added a run on a fielder’s choice.
Woelfel provided the final margin with a solo home run to left field in the sixth.
Underwood earned the win on the mound for the Red Raiders. The starter worked five innings, allowing nine hits and five runs, three earned, with six strikeouts and no walks. Kriesel took the loss for Iola-Scandinavia after pitching two innings and surrendering nine runs, eight earned, on five hits. He struck out one and walked five.
Woelfel paced the Marathon offense, going 3-for-4 with three runs batted in. Underwood added two hits in four at-bats. The Red Raiders turned one double play.
Ben Gruba led the Thunderbirds with three hits in the game. Morfey, the No. 8 hitter, drove in two runs and went 1-for-3. Gutierrez, Broghan Gullixon, and Opperman each collected multiple hits for Iola-Scandinavia, which finished with 11 hits. The Thunderbirds turned one double play.
The Thunderbirds will travel to face the Weyauwega-Fremont Varsity Warhawks on Monday, May 11.
