Marathon Wins First District Title In 45 Years

Box Score

The bus trip home is quite a long trip for the Marathon Dolphins, but at last the odyssey is complete and the team is bringing home a long-awaited trophy.

Thursday night the Dolphins put forth their best effort of the season when it mattered the most, earning a 2-1 victory over the host Fort Meade Miners to win the Rural District 8 championship.

It is the first district championship for Marathon in 45 years.

“This has been a long time coming for the city of Marathon and our Marathon baseball program,” Dolphins Manager Joey Gonzalez said. “Tonight we took down a top five team in the state in our class. We showed we belong playing with these caliber programs.”

Marathon improved to 18-9 overall, while extending its current winning streak to a season-high five games.

The Dolphins scored both their runs in the top of the first inning, then relied on the pitching staff to hold the line from there. Dylan Williams led off with a walk, and Gabe Leal reached on a bunt single back to the pitcher. Gavin Leal then walked to load the bases, and Williams got the scoring going by coming in off a passed ball. Courtesy-runner Andrew Suarez then scored the winning run thanks to an RBI ground out from Jack Chapman.

Senior starter Mason Thornton made that lead hold up, as he nearly went the distance for the win. The right-hander allowed one earned run on two hits and six walks in six-and-two third innings, and he struck out four. Williams then secured the victory by inducing the final out on a fly ball to center with the winning run on the bases.

“Being able to lift this trophy with these group of guys, the senior leaders, and this coaching staff in surreal,” said Gonzalez. “We have all poured our hearts and souls into building this program back up, and now these guys can enjoy this much-earned success.”

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