It was a really good Monday for Marian.

Not only did the Colts club their way to an 11-3 Schuylkill League baseball win over Weatherly, but thanks to a little help, they captured another Division 3 championship.

Marian’s victory, combined with rival Panther Valley’s win over Shenandoah Valley, means the division pennant will remain in Hometown. The Colts’ stranglehold on the division title has now reached four consecutive seasons.

“We talked about a sense of urgency,” said Marian manager Tony Radocha, still unsure after the game of the result from Panther Valley. “Youth can’t be an excuse anymore. This team has to grow up. We told the kids at practice Sunday that we need to stay focused. We got the job done today.”

Marian junior southpaw Hunter Fristick had a strong game on the mound. Fristick was working on a no-hit shutout and protecting a 4-0 lead before Kevin Osifat drilled a solo home run to finally give Weatherly some hope.

But the Colts responded like championship teams do, and put up five runs in the top of the fifth to blow the game open.

“Hunter did a great job on the mound, but got a little tired at the end,” said Radocha. “Seth (Derr) came in a shut the door. We got Hunter a couple of starts this year, and he’s proved to be very capable.”

Marian had 11 hits in the game, led by Matt Doherty’s monster performance. Doherty drove in four runs with a double and two singles, Aaron Mason added three singles and an RBI; steady Max Nolter and Ryan Cappel both had a single and two RBIs. The other hits were delivered by Dante Agosti, Alex Kubishin and Brandon Cann.

“We made too many defensive mistakes, breakdowns in the field,” said Weatherly manager Mike Baran. “We gave them extra outs, and a good team like Marian takes advantage of those extra outs.”

There was a two-run eruption by the Wreckers in the home sixth when AJ. Knepper, Steph Yurchak, Gary Buck and Osifat each singled cutting into the lead at 10-3, but it was too much to overcome.

THE RECORDS … Marian is now 11-7 overall, and 7-5 in the league. The Colts, who are also two-time defending District 11 champs, will open the league playoffs on Tuesday. Weatherly drops to 5-9 overall, and 4-8 in the league.

COUNTING THE WAYS … Fristick’s pitch count had him at 85 with 61 strikes. Yurchak tossed 79 pitches, 47 for strikes for the Wreckers.

Marian 013 051 1 - 11 11 0

Weatherly 000 102 0 - 3 7 3

Fristick, Derr (6) and Nolter; Yurchak, Moon (6), Farichild (7), Gerhart (7) and Osifat. W - Fristick. L - Yurchak. HR: Weatherly - Osifat (4th, none on).