MARSHALL -- It was the season opener, but Willmar and Marshall looked ready for playoffs Friday at Legion Field.
Marshall won a pitching dual 1-0 despite accumulating only one hit off Willmar pitchers Ross Van Hauen and Jason Scheffler. The hit didn't figure in the game's lone score.
It was only the second day outside the gym for the Cardinals, who managed three hits off Tigers right-hander Matt Koster, who went the distance on two walks and six strikeouts.
"Both teams were hustling and the pitchers were throwing strikes," said Brad Dean, Willmar's new head coach. "I thought our pitching was extraordinary for this early in the season. We had two errors on throws on balls to deep short but both the infielders and outfielders did a nice job."
Willmar had its best chance to score in the second when Matt Roisum singled, was bunted to second by Matt Seehusen and took third on a ground out. But Koster got the next batter looking for the third out.
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After two walks and a ground out moved the runners up in the Marshall fourth, the Tigers scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Casey Orthaus.
Van Hauen gave up one hit over 3Xc innings. Scheffler, who relieved after the run scored, didn't allow a hit or walk over the last 2Zc innings. Tom Seedorf and Tom Prunty split the catching.
Marshall 1, Willmar 0
Willmar (0-1) 000 000 0 - 0 3 2
Marshall (1-0) 000 100 x - 1 1 2
HITTING - Willmar: Tyler Horning 1-for-3, Matt Roisum 2-for-3 .... Marshall: Kyle Mathewitz 1-for-2
PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) - Willmar: Ross Van Hauen (W) 32/3-1-1-1-2-3, Jason Scheffler 21/3-0-0-0-0-1 .... Marshall: Matt Koster (W) 7-3-0-0-2-6
NEXT -- Willmar: Tuesday, home vs. Rocori
