The Maryville College Scots broke their season record for USA South Athletic Conference victories behind their third USA South sweep of the 2016 season.
With a 10-3 victory in the day's first game, Maryville won their ninth USA South contest. That win marks their ninth of the season, as they now hold a 10-4 record after a 4-3 victory in game two.
That ninth victory tops the Scots' previous best record. Maryville posted an 8-16 record in conference last season, which was the best since joining the league in 2012. This is the first season MC has held a .500 or above record within the conference.
Alexus Murray helped Maryville to the milestone victory after posting a 4-for-6 afternoon with four runs and two RBI.
In Game one of the day, Maryville College picked up a key 10-3 win over the Monarchs.
The Scots got things started in the top of the second inning, after Gabbrielle Rathmell laced a two-RBI double down the left-field line. Pinch runner Melissa Frease and Alexus Murray scored on the play, giving Maryville a 2-0 lead early on.
In the bottom of the second, it was Danielle Brendes that plated Methodist's first run. She laced a triple down the left-field line, scoring Allyson Aycock for a 2-1 score.
Murray got her second hit of the day in the top of the third. She used an RBI single to left-center to score Savannah Cook, as Maryville took a 3-1 lead over Methodist.
Maryville would add three more in the top of the fifth. Three straight bunt singles by Jenna Roberts, Jessica McMahan and Cook loaded the bags, before Rachel Taylor scored Roberts with a sacrifice fly. Murray singled to short, scoring McMahan. Elizabeth Wheeler followed with an RBI single down the right-field line to score Murray, as Maryville held a 6-1 lead.
Methodist added two runs in the bottom of the sixth, as Courtney Thompson and Aycock each found RBIs. Sydney Foland scored on a sacrifice fly by Thompson, before Alanna Anderson scored on Aycock's single through the left side.
Maryville ended any chance of a comeback in the top of the seventh, as they plated four more runs. Taylor used an RBI double to left-center to score McMahan, before Megan Mihaliak singled up the middle to score Taylor. Rathmell singled to second, scoring Murray, before a Morgan Corso RBI double scored Mihaliak, as the Scots took the 10-3 win.
Maryville (14-14, 10-6 USA South) was led by Murray who went 3-for-3 with three runs and two RBI. Rathmell was 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Taylor went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. McMahan was 1-for-3 with two runs, while Cook went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Wheeler added an RBI on a 1-for-3 afternoon, while Mihaliak posted an RBI and a run in a 1-for-4 afternoon. Corso was 1-for-2 with an RBI, while Roberts and Frease each plated a run.
Kayla Aloisi moved to 9-7 on the year, while pitching six innings. She allowed only six hits and three earned runs, while striking out one.
For Methodist (4-20, 1-7), it was Heather Williams and Morgan Faircloth that each added two hits on the day. Aycock went 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI, while Brendes was 1-for-3 with an RBI.
The Scots picked up the sweep behind a 4-3 win in game two.
Methodist struck first in the bottom of the third, taking a 1-0 lead. Williams reached on a hit-by-pitch, before a sacrifice bunt moved her to second. A passed ball allowed her to score for the Monarchs' first lead of the day.
The lead didn't last long, however, as Maryville scored two in the top of the fourth. Wheeler used an RBI single to right-center to score Murray, before Rathmell was able to score on a wild pitch. Maryville took the lead, 2-1 after four innings.
In the top of the fifth, they added two more. Taylor blasted a two-run homer to center field, scoring Cook on the play. Maryville held a 4-1 lead after five innings.
Methodist would add two more in the bottom of the sixth, but it wouldn't be enough. They used two RBI doubles in the inning, but Maryville took the win, 4-3, after they left the bags juiced.
The Scots were led by Rachel Taylor, who went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI, while Murray and Cook went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Rathmell was 2-for-4 with a run, while Roberts went 2-for-3. Wheeler was 1-for-2 with an RBI, while McMahan went 1-for-3.
Morgan Corland went to 5-4 on the season in 5.2 innings pitched. She allowed six hits and only two earned runs. Aloisi earned her second save of the season in 1.1 innings pitched.
Maryville will try to keep their streak alive, as they travel to N.C. Wesleyan College. First pitch for tomorrow's contest is slated for noon.
