Heather Foust struck out 16 and retired the first 17 batters she faced as Marcus edged Hebron 1-0 on Tuesday to remain perfect in District 6-5A.

     Foust outdid Hebron’s Heather Stearns in what proved to be a true pitchers duel. Both carried no hitters into the third inning before Marcus’ Devon Wallace and Foust recorded back-to-back singles in the bottom of the third inning. Foust’s blooper to left-center field scored Marcus’ lone run. Stearns went on to strike out 10 on the night while Foust carried her no hitter into the top of the sixth inning before losing it on a sharp single down the right field line by Morgan Butler.

     “It felt good knowing that I have a really good defense backing me up,” Foust said. “I just tried as best I could to keep them (Hebron) off balance.”

     Foust had great command of her pitches all night and kept Hebron guessing with several off speed pitches – particularly in the later innings. Even after her no hitter was broken up, Foust retired the next four batters in succession, including striking out Whitney Burt to end the game.

     “It is good to know we can win tight games like this,” Marcus head coach Christy Tumilty said. “The pitcher for Hebron is a good one, but Heather was super tonight. We found a way to win.”

     In that infamous third inning, Stearns got the first two batters out on strikes before KelVon Greer reached on an overthrow at first base. Wallace then hit a rocket back to the pitcher’s mound, but beat out the throw to first base. Foust then blooped in her single to score the lone Marcus run. The inning only ended when Wallace was thrown out at third base.

     In so doing, Marcus remained perfect in league play heading into Thursday’s game with rival Lewisville. Scores were not available at press time. The game marks the start of the second half of league play. Marcus beat Lewisville 10-1 back on March 26. Until Tuesday night’s one-run win, the team had scored less than six runs just once in district play. The also beat Coppell 6-4 and Flower Mound 7-3.

     Tumilty said she feels this year’s squad has what it takes to make another successful playoff run. Remember, the program is just two years removed from earning its first-ever trip to the state tournament. Last year, they lost in the first round to Colleyville Heritage.

     “I feel like they are playing well right now,” she said. “They know they need to continue to play even harder because in the second half, anything can happen.”

     The team is 16-5-2 entering Thursday’s game, and despite being undefeated in league play, still holds just a one-game lead over last year’s district champs, Flower Mound. After Lewisville, the team will be at Southlake Carroll before coming home to face Coppell on April 17.

     “The second round will definitely be tough,” Foust added. “It feels great (to be undefeated), but the target will be on our backs in the second half.”