ALTON — Marquette Catholic Varsity Explorers rallied late to edge Calhoun 3-2 on Saturday, using a clutch sixth-inning hit to secure the win.
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Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Tony Matthews delivered the game’s biggest moment with a two-run double, giving the Explorers their first lead since the opening inning.
Marquette struck first in the bottom of the first, taking advantage of a Calhoun error to go up 1-0. The game remained tight as both teams leaned on strong pitching performances.
Calhoun evened things up in the fifth when Jack Zipprich grounded into a fielder’s choice, bringing in a run to tie the game at 1-1. They then took a 2-1 lead in the sixth, again capitalizing on a Marquette error.
From there, Matthews’ late heroics proved to be the difference.
On the mound, Carson Bauer got the start for Marquette, allowing four hits and one run over 4? innings while walking four. Toby Eberlin came on in relief to help close things out.
For Calhoun, Easton Wallendorf pitched a complete six innings, giving up five hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out two and walking four.
Offensively, Marquette spread things out with hits from Eli Rodgers, Joe Stephan, Ethan Dempsey, Jack Rea, and Matthews. Matthews led the way with two RBIs, finishing 1-for-1 at the plate.
Calhoun was led by Jacob Brannan and Wallendorf, who each collected two hits, while Zipprich added an RBI.
