MARSHALL - The North Callaway Thunderbirds were limited to just four hits and had their four-game winning streak halted in a 13-3 loss to the host Marshall Owls in the championship of the Marshall Tournament on Saturday.
Marshall tallied a run in the bottom of the first inning, but North Callaway (5-9) countered with all three of its runs in the top of the second to take a 3-1 edge. The Owls (11-3) came right back with four runs in their half of the inning to go in front to stay, then piled on six runs in the third and two runs in the fourth.
The game was called by run-rule after five innings.
Sophomore designated hitter Finnian Clark, sophomore catcher Christian Griffith, senior starter Josh McCowan and senior right fielder Brendan Deters each singled in the second to account for the Thunderbirds' hits.
Griffith drove in a run in the inning, while senior center fielder Justin Coffman was credited with an RBI for a bases-loaded walk and junior third baseman Gabe Cash had an RBI sacrifice fly.
McCowan (0-2) lasted only two innings in being tagged with the loss, surrendering 11 runs - nine earned - on nine hits. He issued three walks and struck out one.
"Marshall is definitely a quality team and has a really good pitcher," North Callaway head coach Zeth Lavy said. "It was a great week of baseball for this team with a four-game winning streak.
"I saw a lot of good things that going forward should help improve this team."
The Thunderbirds reached the title game with a 13-3 romp in five innings against Clinton earlier Saturday. Senior first baseman Jordan Delashmutt was 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, a two-run double and scored twice to spark North Callaway's 11-hit attack.
Deters finished 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
Cash (1-0) tossed a complete game to log the victory, allowing three runs - one earned - on nine hits. He recorded two strikeouts and one walk.
The Thunderbirds traveled to Mark Twain on Monday night for an Eastern Missouri Conference game. Results were not available at press time.