First-year head coach Leah Kelley picked up her first victory at the helm of the Maryville College Scots' softball program on Saturday, as MC split on its first day of competition in the Rhodes Tournament.
Kelley's Scots picked up her first win during the second game of the tournament, dishing out 12 hits to top the host school, Rhodes College, 8-1.
Freshman Rachel Taylor picked up the victory in her first collegiate start in the circle. Taylor tossed five complete innings, allowing only two hits from the Lynx. She had one strikeout and one walk in the complete game.
Maryville got on the board early during the first inning, scoring two runs with two outs on the board. Second baseman, Tiffany Brand, singled to right, and was brought to the plate by a Taylor RBI double. Megan Mihaliak followed the same patter as the next batter, scoring Taylor on an RBI double to left.
Rhodes got on the board in the bottom of the first, after Christine Hume was hit by a pitch. After Hume stole second, Rachel Pewitt used a double to left to score the Hume. It would be the only run the Scots would allow.
Maryville's bats came out hot during the second inning, as singles by Kalyn Jones and Emilie Craven and a walk by Jessica McMahan loaded the bags. Savannah Cook singled up the middle, scoring two runs, before Brand's double scored a third. Rachel Taylor grounded out to second, scoring Cook with an RBI, as Maryville held a 6-1 advantage.
The Scots added two extra insurance runs in the top of the fourth, after singles by put McMahan and Cook on base. A stolen base by McMahan put both runners in scoring position, as Brand's third hit of the day scored both runners, allowing Maryville to take the win, 8-1.
Brand led the way in the nightcap, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored. Jones and Craven each tossed in a 2-for-3 effort, each scoring a run, while Cook was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Rhodes (0-2) was led by Pewitt, who finished 1-for-2 with an RBI.
In the day's first game, the Scots struggled at the plate. Maryville found only three hits in the game, falling to Washington-St. Louis, 11-0.
The Bears posted three runs in both the first and third innings, while slashing five runs across during the second. Maryville was hindered in their season opener with three errors on the day.
The Scots were led in their first game by Cook, Mihaliak and Jennie Burks, who each finished the game going 1-for-2. The Bears were led by Hannah Mehrle, who went 2-for-2 with one RBI, while plating two runs.
Maryville advances to 1-1 on the young season, as they take part in the second day of the Rhodes Tournament tomorrow, Feb. 8. First pitch against DePauw is set for 10 a.m., while Maryville will face Washington-St. Louis again at 2 p.m.
