SMITH CENTER – The TMP-Marian Monarchs won two of their first three games in Smith Center this weekend. Friday night Mason Robbins pitched a complete-game three-hitter in a 3-0 win over the Smith County Blue Raiders. Saturday, the Monarchs (22-10) lost 6-5 to edged Wood River (Neb.) 6-5 before bouncing back to beat the Alma (Neb.) Seniors 6-2.
In Friday’s win over the Blue Raiders, Robbins struck out three and walked none and drove in a run on a groundout in the top of the sixth to push the lead to 2-0. Noah Gibson followed with a line drive to center which scored Kirk Huser.
The Monarchs raced out to and early 4-1 against Wood River on Saturday but the Wranglers came back with four runs in the top of the third to take the lead. Both teams scored in the fourth. Tyson Dinkel, Ethan Atherton and Noah Gibson all drove in runs in the Monarchs three-run second. Dinkel finished with two hits and three RBIs. Mark Rack also had a two hit game.
The Monarchs scored four in the bottom of the first against Alma then added two in the sixth. Kirk Huser and Noah Gibson drove in the first two runs then Mason Robbins knocked in two with a single to centerfield.
Dinkel and Huser both hit sacrifice flies to score runs in the sixth.
Mark Rack pitched a complete game four-hitter with seven strikeouts and five walks.
The Monarchs end their season Sunday at noon against the Smith County Blue Raiders.