Senior Andrew Bridges' three-run double in the first inning was the blow which sent the Owls on their way to an 11-1 victory over Knob Noster. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Marshall head baseball coach Ian Verts used the occasion of Senior Night to start all eight of his upperclassmen Thursday.

He may be tempted to do it again after the 11-1 licking the Owls hung on Knob Noster, the first five-inning "mercy" rule victory for the program since the playoff-bound 2006 squad opened the season with a 15-0 rout of Lexington -- a span of 55 games.

"It was a collective effort," Verts remarked. "The guys stepped up and hit the ball hard.

"That's what we need to continue to do through districts," he added.

Marshall only scored three or more runs in three of their its first 10 games this season, but have produced more consistently lately -- five or more runs in six of the last seven games.

This time, the Owls reached the five-run mark early -- in the bottom of the first.

Senior Josh Glassmaker, boasting a credible .545 on-base percentage out of the lead-off spot, banged a double off the bottom of the center-field fence to begin the barrage.

Senior Ethan Williams' single scored Glassmaker and a botched fielder's choice and bobbled grounder loaded the bases with one out.

Enter senior Andrew Bridges, who had only 11 plate appearances so far this season -- having only recently been elevated to a starting role.

Bridges belted a pitch into the gap in left-center, clearing the bases with a double. A solid single to left by senior Matt Pace brought in Bridges for a 5-1 lead.

"It's always positive to get out on top of them," Verts said. "That's one thing we haven't done a lot of this year."

It was also a boost for Glassmaker, making his first mound appearance of the season -- after pitching in eight games last year. He gave up a couple of hits in the first inning, including an RBI single to sophomore Brendan Beasley, but the Panthers (5-14) only had one hit the rest of the way.

Glassmaker was helped by some fine defense, with junior second baseman Kaleb Brashears handling four grounders flawlessly and making a leaping catch of a line drive to end the second inning.

The game's final out was also a "web gem," as Bridges jumped to snag a drive near the left-field line -- robbing sophomore Ryan Chabotte of an extra-base hit.

The Owls weren't done at the plate. Glassmaker doubled and senior Kodi Phillips walked with one out in the fourth inning, senior Ethan Williams turning on an inside fastball and pulling it out of the yard for his club-high third homer of the season.

Bridges reached on an error to begin the fifth frame and barely avoided being hit on a bouncer to second by senior Michael Crim, who reached safely. Both came in when Pace raked a triple to right-center, trotting home jubilantly with the game-ending run on Glassmaker's sacrifice fly.

Since a 2-8 start, Marshall (6-11) has played competitively against nearly all comers -- with the exception of a 7-0 loss Tuesday to league-leading Kirksville-- even with some veteran players no longer around.

"We're going to play the best players," Verts declared. "We just want to work every day, and work hard."