The Marshall Plan was on point for John Glenn softball. Here's how it kept the season alive.

DUNCAN FALLS — With his ace unable to pitch, Morgan coach Jeremy Keirns knew his team would need some offense — and some breaks — to hang with John Glenn ace Sydney Marshall.

They got little of neither.

Marshall yielded only four hits and benefitted from some dazzling defensive plays in a complete game, and her bat fueled the offense in a 6-0 win in a Division II district semifinal at the Philo Athletic Complex.

John Glenn (20-6), the No. 2 seed, advanced to play top-seeded Dover at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Indian Valley High School. The Muskies won their regular season meeting, 3-0, on March 27 as Marshall tossed a three-hitter and hit a two-run homer.

She outdueled Jenna Molk, one of two quality right-handers at the Tornadoes' disposal. John Glenn is seeking its third regional berth in four years.

"I'm excited to see them again," Marshall said. "We obviously know what to expect. I think we'll be good as long as we keep our bats alive and our defense keeps playing behind us."

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Marshall Plan nets results

Marshall's two-run homer in the third inning and two-out, two-run single in the fourth were the pivotal blows against Raider freshman Allia Rush, who pitched in place of injured Malayni Clemens.

Clemens played third base as she nursed a sore shoulder that prevented her from pitching. She last pitched in a shutout of Philo in the sectional opener.

It placed heavy burden on the offense, which failed to capitalize on scoring chances against the Bowling Green-bound Marshall.

The first two runners reached in the first and moved up a base on a sacrifice, but Marshall got two strikeouts to end the threat. Two innings later, a runner was doubled off first base on Myka Augenstein's sharp liner to right field. Runners were also left on in the fifth, sixth and seventh.

Marshall's homer came one inning later, proving key breathing room.

"The first at-bat I swung at a couple of change-ups that I probably shouldn't have," Marshall said. "I knew they were probably going to come back at me with the change-up the first pitch the next time, so I just sat on it. She had a really good change-up, which is a good thing because the Dover pitcher also has a really good change-up."

First base was open when Marshall came up the second time. Keirns said they didn't plan on giving her or cleanup hitter Alivia Boothe hittable pitches at any point, "but that is where you get that competitive nature."

It was the second time in two weeks Marshall had dealt them a defeat. She finished with eight strikeouts and two walks, and all of the hits she allowed were singles. Sixty of her 80 pitches went for strikes.

"Her and (catcher) Alivia Boothe have been a combination all year that has been pretty tough for opponents to deal with," John Glenn coach Steve Cowgill said. "Liv calls all of the pitches. Her knowledge of softball is second to none of any player that I have coached. It's an absolute wealth of knowledge back there."

Marshall said she was thankful the game was played at Philo, one of the only facilities in the area to feature a turf infield.

"It's nice to have a flat surface and not have holes that you constantly have to fill in and fix it," Marshall said. "Having a flat mound is way easier for me to pitch on and it definitely helped a lot today."

Defense shines for JG

Freshman Bella Daniels bats ninth in the order and isn't going to be mistaken for an offensive force, at least not this year. Her defensive wizardry is another conversation, however.

She made two of the game's biggest plays in right field, starting the double play in the second with a running catch. Later, she made a long run to catch a fly ball in foul territory before slamming into the fence.

"That one definitely hurt," Daniels said, adding she got good breaks on both balls.

Marshall called them "game changers" because they saved runs. Daniels said she got quick reads on both plays, adding she takes great pride in playing good defense in the outfield.

"I'm definitely better at defense than I am at hitting," Daniels said.

Senior second baseman Sarah Wayne also made two key stops on hard ground balls that netted close outs to end innings. Both came with runners on base.

"It's her last year, and she's stepping up," Cowgill said. "She does that. Sarah has been one of the most steady influences ever since she was a freshman, starting out on (reserves) and moving her way up. Halfway through the year she was our DH at the varsity level. These three seniors are the last three left from our state semifinal team."

Injuries struck Raiders at worst time

Clemens wasn't the only one dealing with physical ailments. Rush had a swollen pitching hand after being stepped on while diving back into first base last Saturday.

Keirns said they were fortunate to get four innings from Rush given the amount of swelling. Classmate Lainey Kangas pitched two shutout innings of relief.

It was a silver lining in an otherwise disappointing day for the Raider contingent. Rush finished with six strikeouts.

"We knew coming in that the stars had to line up," Keirns said. "Let's be honest, we had our chances and didn't capitalize on it. The two young freshmen, to hold this team to eight or nine hits — if nothing else, we gained some valuable experience going into next year."

Clemens, who is signed with Indiana Wesleyan, said that a visit with the doctor indicated a strain, but that an MRI could be required if the pain doesn't subside.

Nonetheless, it was a tough blow. The third-seeded Raiders finished 17-5 after a third straight district berth.

"The injury bug really bit us at the wrong time," Keirns said.

sblackbu@gannett.com; X: @SamBlackburnTR

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: John Glenn softball leans on Sydney Marshall in district win vs. Morgan