Gibson hurls Owls to NCMC victory

Senior Chad Gibson tossed a four-hitter, striking out 11, as the Owls snapped a three-game skid with a 3-1 decision over Moberly [Click to enlarge]

MOBERLY -- Time after time, Marshall pitcher Chad Gibson found himself in a jam -- seldom of his own making.

Time after time, the senior right-hander got out of it -- with only one exception -- during Thursday's 3-1 NCMC win at Moberly. Gibson allowed only four hits and walked none -- five of the Spartans' nine baserunners reaching by error -- while fanning 11 for his team-high third victory of the season.

"He was ahead of hitters the whole game," remarked Marshall head coach Mike Godfrey. "He really spotted his fastball well and later got out of trouble with some big strikeouts with his breaking ball."

The Owls were able to manufacture enough run support to make Gibson's efforts worthwhile -- getting a lead they would not relinquish when junior Paul Wayne Thomas drew a leadoff walk in the top of the first inning, stole second base and came in on senior Gary Lyon's single.

Sophomore Josh Glassmaker started the third with a double and went to third on sophomore Kodi Phillips' infield single. Glassmaker scored on the back end of a double steal.

Moberly's lone run came in the fifth, begun when junior Bryan Orton reached on an error after Gibson had already whiffed the first two batters. Senior Alonso Spiller hit dropped in a double to left, Orton stopping at third. Junior Chris Fowler singled to plate one run, but Spiller was gunned down by senior shortstop Lucas Moore while trying to score from second.

Marshall got the run back in the sixth when Thomas was plunked, swiped second, was bunted to third and came in on a squeeze play executed by Lyon.

The Spartans (4-6, 1-5 NCMC) got the tying run in scoring position in the sixth on an error and senior Chad Hult's two-out single, but Gibson came up with another strikeout -- then three more in the seventh -- to snuff the threat.

Senior Brandon Ryan joined Glassmaker with a two-hit day as the Owls (5-7, 2-1) ended a three-game losing streak.

"We're getting real good pitching and we're starting to be able to execute and scrap a few runs out," Godfrey said about Marshall's consistent competitiveness. "We're finding ways to score runs, sometimes, when we really need them."

The Owls will be back home Tuesday for a rematch against league rival Fulton.