The Maryville College baseball team travelled to Demorest, Georgia to challenge Piedmont College in a three-game USA South Athletic Conference series. Despite late leads in each contest, MC dropped two-of-three matchup when the Lions rallied late. Piedmont took the opening game 8-6 late Saturday evening. An eight run seventh inning propelled Piedmont past the Scots by the score of 14-12 in the first game on Sunday before MC claimed the series finale 7-6.
Saturday's game at Loudermilk Field saw MC carry a 6-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning. The hometown Lions chased MC starter Matt Dyer who scattered only four hits over 6.1 innings of work. Piedmont got to Maryville relievers Taylor Denton and Cody Midgett for a combined five hits and four runs over the final 1.2 innings of work on the mound.
MC out hit the Lions with an eleven hit attack. Chris Hamilton, Landon Talley, and Travis Scates each posted a pair of hits for the Scots.
The second game of the series featured another Piedmont rally in the seventh inning. Leading 11-6, MC's relievers could not pin down the Lions' bats. Maryville's Trevor Brackett limited Piedmont to five earned runs over six innings of work on the mound while striking out five. The following four Scots' relievers surrendered seven hits and eight runs over the final two at-bats for the home team.
The Scots finished with a dozen hits. Landon Talley paced the offense with a 4-for-6 effort from the plate. The junior outfielder stroked a double and tallied three RBI's. Shortstop Nick Dean added three RBI's with a key double. Chris Hamilton, Matt Jones, and Jesse Crisp each posted a pair of hits.
In the series finale, Chris Sutherland earned the mound victory with 6.2 innings of efficient work. Sutherland scattered 12 hits, but surrendered only four earned runs before freshman Tyler Hopkins came in and closed the door for the final 2.1 innings. Freshman first baseman Zack Blonder went 4-for-5 at the plate with a double and a game-high four RBI's. Garrett Gresham posted a pair of hits while Nick Dean stroked a double and a pair of RBI's to secure the victory.
Piedmont falls to 6-6 on the season while Maryville advances to 5-7 while going 3-6 withing the USA South.
The Scots will host Emory University on Tuesday, February 26th with a first pitch on Scotland Yard scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
