The Marlow High School baseball team hosted its opening ballgame Monday, March 6, 2023.

While some of the players have had an entire off-season of practice, wrestlers had only a couple of weeks, and basketball players only a day of practice before the first game.

Head Coach John Morgan expressed his feelings on his team under these conditions. 

“It was hectic and a little scary,” stated Morgan. 

Despite the uncertainty, the Outlaws were ready to play.

“We just had to jump right in and get to work,” said Morgan.

The Pauls Valley Panthers traveled to Gib Stone-Leroy Black Field for the district match up.

The Outlaws opened up the season with senior Cole Pettit on the mound, only letting the Panthers score a single run in the top of the first. 

Marlow came out swinging in their first inning at bat.

A few big hits for MHS from veteran players including the lead-off batter, sophomore Brisco Smith, senior first baseman Cooper Smith, and juniors Mason Holding and Dawson Baker got the momentum going for the team. 

Those big hits, along with a handful of errors from the Panthers, brought the score after one inning to 11-1 in favor of the Outlaws.

Pauls Valley gained themselves just a split moment of hope early in the second inning with a couple of errors from the Outlaws allowing runners on the bases. 

Marlow quickly snapped out of their trend of mistakes, shutting down the Panthers and stranding two runners on base.

PVHS had a slightly better defensive inning allowing the Outlaws only three runs in the bottom of the second, making the score 14-1.

The third inning granted the Panthers another run, putting two points on the board for the opponents.

The Outlaws could not get their bats going in the bottom of the third, which made for a quick three outs for Pauls Valley.

However, MHS turned around with a three up- three down inning and scored one more run on offense, bringing the score to 15-1.

The Panthers had one last chance to play catch up in the top of the fifth, but the Outlaws did not let them.

The final score after four and a half innings was 15-1, giving Marlow a run-rule win in their season opener.

Coach Morgan spoke on his thoughts after the game.

“There is definitely room for improvement,” stated Morgan.

Seniors Pettit and Smith will be key leaders on the team this season.

Both seniors agreed that they will have to step up in terms of leadership, having the most experience in Outlaw Baseball.

After this win the Outlaws played two more games that week. 

Marlow beat Pauls Valley again on Tuesday, March 7 by a run-rule at Pauls Valley.

The Outlaws then traveled to Altus on Thursday, March 9, winning 10-0.

These matchups start the season for Marlow baseball off on a good note. 

The ultimate goal of the season for the Outlaws is to stay determined.

“We want to go out and be the grittiest team,” expressed Coach Morgan.

Marlow Baseball will use this grit in hopes for another appearance in the Class 4A State Baseball Tournament in May.

Next, the Outlaws  will travel to Port Aransas, Texas, over spring break for some fun, along with three more baseball games.