When the Bobcats finally got a break in the weather to return to the field, they returned in grand style, scoring X runs and shutting out Fulton Wednesday at Guess Field.  Marion (11-5, 12-5 overall) has been idle five days due to rainouts both at home and away. In fact, in those five days, six attempts at ballgames have been quashed by Mother Nature. But Wednesday, the bats and arms of the teams seemed to have benefited from the time off, making an almost perfect return to action.  The Bobcats were efficient at the plate, with their eight runs coming on eight hits, while starter Zach Hal with some help from Marion native Alex Wood and the bullpen held the Railroaders scoreless and to just three hits. The defense was also flawless in the field.

The offense exploded for five runs in the second inning, scoring an RBI single by Landon Weitekamp and a grand slam off the bat of A.J. Dokey, both his first home run and the first bases-clearing shot this year for the Bobcats. Marion added a run in the third and two more in the sixth.  Zach Hall (2-1) kept Fulton batters guessing all night, striking out 13 in only seven innings pitched, including retiring the side on strikes in the second, fifth and seventh innings. Earning the win, Hall has now struck out 31 batters in 22 innings pitched. His strikeout total was tops in the league at the close of the ballgame.  Wood came on in the eighth, striking out one, and Daniel Szathmary pitched the last frame, setting the Railroaders down in order with two strikeouts and a fly ball. The bullpen didn't allow a hit. All total, Bobcat pitchers fanned 16 Railroaders, a team high for this year.  Dokey's one hit was more than enough for Marion to strengthen their hold on first place, but Caleb Eickoff and Cameron Chestnut each added two hits and an RBI. Desmond Roberts, Taylor Banks and Jake Hirniak also added hits.