A three-run homer by senior Josh Glassmaker capped a first-inning rally which saw the Owls score eight times. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

It appears last Thursday's Senior Night, traditionally the final home game of the season, was a bit premature for the Marshall baseball team.

The Owls were in for somewhat of a shock when the school bell rang Tuesday: the bus from Odessa had pulled up at the gate and its baseball team was unloading. Apparently, a signed contract for the game existed in the files taken over by first-year Marshall High Activities Director Scott Latham, and therefore a game wasn't scheduled -- except by the Bulldogs.

"I'll take a surprise like this any day," remarked head coach Ian Verts after the Owls claimed a 10-8 non-conference decision in what is now presumed to be the regular season finale.

Odessa scored three runs in the top of the first inning off senior Michael Crim, the Birds' workhorse who has now pitched nearly 50 of the team's 126 innings and started nine of its 20 games. All of the 'Dogs' runs came on a bases-loaded, two-out double by senior Jason Duke.

However, Marshall righted itself in a hurry with eight runs, five unearned due to two key errors, in the bottom of the first.

Senior Josh Glassmaker began the rally with a lead-off double, followed by freshman John Lozano's single. Glassmaker scored on a grounder which was booted and senior Mike Sartor's roller to first base brought in Lozano.

A hit batter and singles by senior Andrew Bridges and sophomore Nathan Cato tied the score. Senior Jared Porter hit a sacrifice fly to bring in a run and an error put two on with two out for Glassmaker -- who hit the ball further his second time up, clearing the fences for his second homer of the season.

Crim got through two frames unscathed, but then was lit up by junior Kyle Thornton's three-run blast which closed the margin to two runs. Once again, the Owls answered quickly, Lozano doubling in Glassmaker -- who had walked to start the frame -- and coming in on Sartor's single.

Doubles by sophomore Tyler Johnson, freshman Thad Madsen and Thornton produced two runs for Odessa (4-11) in the sixth -- but that was as close as it could get. Senior Conner Moore and Duke slapped two-out singles in the seventh, but were stranded when senior Matt Pace hauled in a fly ball to right field to end the game.

Crim struck out a season-high eight batters to earn his team-leading third win of the season.

Marshall (7-13) is the seventh seed in the Class 3, District 13 Tournament at Boonville, which begins Saturday. The Owls will take on No. 2 Kirksville, the NCMC champion, in the opening round.