Box Score The Maryville College Scots baseball team defeated USA South rival LaGrange College 11-9 on Friday evening on MC's Scotland Yard.
Maryville starter Christian Poulsen (4-1) earned the win on the mound after scattering seven hits over the first 4.2 innings of work. The senior right-hander allowed four earned runs while striking out four.
The Scots' offense was the star early sporting 8-4 advantage before Poulsen's departure. Poulsen, also serving as the designated hitter, laced a single to center field in the first inning to score Gabe Lopez who had earlier tripled. Maryville put up five runs in the third inning after Poulsen singled in Lopez once again before MC plated a pair of unearned runs on two Panther miscues. MC finished their scoring in the third with an Eric Hart two-RBI single to right field scoring Drew Johnson and Mike Homan.
The Scots extended their lead in the fourth to 8-0 after Poulsen drove in his third run of the day on a fielder's choice and then stole home on a double-steal.
LaGrange rallied in the fifth when Joe Ruth singled in Dawson Weaver before EJ Churchich blasted a three-run home run over the left field fence to make the score 8-4.
Gabe Lopez pushed the score to 10-4 after a single through the left side scored Kolton Hicks and Hart.
LaGrange made the score 10-5 after Ruth's sacrifice fly in the sixth.
Maryville's Eric Hart tallied their final run in the sixth on an RBI single up the middle scoring Homan.
The Panthers plated a run in the seventh and a trio of runs in the eighth before senior right-hander Sam Joiner came in to earn his fifth save of the season and preserve the Scots' 11-9 victory.
Maryville's 14 hit offensive attack was paced by Gabe Lopez (3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Eric Hart 3-for-4, 3 RBI), and Christian Poulsen (2-for-5, 2 runs, 3 RBI). Logan Hayes and Kolton Hicks each finished with a pair of hits.
The win advances Maryville to 15-11 overall and 5-6 in USA South action. LaGrange falls to 19-7 and 11-4 in league play.
The key USA South series will conclude on Saturday with a doubleheader on MC's Scotland Yard beginning at 2:00 p.m.
