The Maryville College Scots softball squad's storybook season came to an end on Sunday in Rocky Mount, N.C., as the Ferrum College Panthers eliminated them from tournament play.
The Scots fell in the play-in game of the tournament to the eventual USA South Athletic Conference Champions, 5-1. Ferrum defeated Averett University, 3-2 and 10-1 to capture the conference crown.
Maryville's Jessica McMahan and Savannah Cook each had tremendous tournaments at the plate, as the outfield duo earned All-Tournament honors.
The Scots finish their turnaround year with a 25-17 mark. They earned the most wins since 2007, while winning the same number of games as they had the previous three seasons combined. They played in their first-ever USA South Tournament, advancing to the semifinals.
On Sunday, the Scots couldn't score runners, as they left nine runners stranded, as they outhit the Panthers 9-8.
After a scoreless two innings, Ferrum struck first with three runs in the bottom of the third. Back-to-back-to-back RBI singles from Lindsey Slover, Amanda Roberts and Logan Barbour scored Karlee Pendleton, Aiyana Lew and Slover for a 3-0 Panthers lead.
Casey Joliff closed the gap with a solo home run – her second of the tournament – to left-center field. After four innings, Ferrum led 3-1.
The Panthers plated a run in the bottom of the fifth, as Barbour found her second RBI of the contest with a single to short. In the bottom of the sixth, Cheyenne Strickland scored Heather Mayberry for the 5-1 ballgame.
Maryville was led by Joliff's 2-for-3 afternoon, as the freshman had an RBI and a run with her solo shot. McMahan and Cook each went 2-for-2, while Rachel Taylor, Megan Mihaliak and Jenna Roberts each collected a hit.
Ferrum (25-16) saw Barbour go 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Slover was 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Courtney Rudd also went 2-for-3, as Roberts and Strickland each recorded RBIs on one hit.
