Box Score Anthony Rodriguez dominated on the mound and the Scots manufactured a pair of key runs to help No.18 Maryville College defeat LaGrange College 2-0 in a key USA South baseball series in LaGrange, Georgia on Friday evening.
Maryville's Mike Homan stroked a one-out single to left center field in the fifth before Evan Ezell deposited an opposite field single advancing Homan to third base. Head Coach Cody Church called on Patrick Messinger to execute a safety squeeze and the senior shortstop dropped down a perfect bunt to the first baseman to score the first run of the game.
The Scots' Andrew Henry beat out an infield single to lead off the sixth and advanced to third base on a Johnny Carpenter single through the left side. Bryce Redaja walked to load the bases with one out before Christian Poulsen drove in MC's second run with a sacrifice fly to center field.
MC sophomore left-hander Anthony Rodriguez tossed six complete shutout innings allowing only three hits while striking out five Panthers. Zach Messinger threw a scoreless 1.2 innings after facing five hitters. Senior left-hander Zach McGee closed the eighth with a strikeout. McGee earned his second save of the season after a scoreless ninth. The Scots' staff held LaGrange to only four hits on the evening.
Maryville (18-3, 4-3 USA South) used an eight hit offensive attack paced by catcher Evan Ezell's 2-for-4 effort.
The Scots will challenge the Panthers (12-11, 2-5 USA South) in the second game of the series at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.
