The Maryville College baseball team swept Oglethorpe University by the scores of 9-5 and 9-2 on Sunday afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia.
The series opener featured the Scots' 11-hit offensive attack led by Gabe Lopez. The sophomore shortstop went 2-for-5 with a run scored while driving in a game-high three runs. Centerfielder Derek Hurt finished 3-for-5 at the plate with a pair of runs scored and a key RBI. Drew Johnson and Cody Gregory each tallied a pair of hits and a run driven in.
A 3-3 game was broken open in the fifth inning when Hurt singled, stole second, and then stole third. With two outs, Cody Gregory scored Hurt on a single through the left side. Maryville took advantage of an Oglethorpe error and Lopez promptly tripled scoring Gregory, Luke McLemore, and Ian Campbell.
The Scots were strong on the mound with starter Jordan Davis tossing four innings allowing only three hits while striking out eight. Sophomore DJ Cooper earned the win with four innings of work allowing only a pair of hits and one run while striking out six. Andrew Miller closed the door with a one-hit ninth inning.
In the nightcap, Kolton Hicks, Derek Hurt, and Ian Campbell each tallied a pair of hits in MC's 13-hit offensive attack. Hurt blasted his first home run of the season in the second inning. Another crooked number in the fifth gave the Scots some breathing room. In the fifth inning, Jack Shuttleworth homered over the left-field wall scoring Drew Johnson before Jimmy Meredith singled up the middle to score Campbell. Hayden Hollingsworth and Meredith dashed home on an Alden Wright single.
The Scots pitching staff was outstanding for their third consecutive outing. Zach Messinger earned the win on the mound going six strong innings, scattering only five hits and allowing only two earned runs. The senior right-hander struck out eight. Anthony Rodriguez allowed only one hit over a pair of relief innings. The senior left-hander struck out four. Trevor Townsend closed the game with a one-hit, shutout ninth inning.
Maryville advances to 2-1 on the season and will prepare to host MacMurray College next weekend on February 15-16.
