Box Score Bats Come Alive Late in 7-2 Win
MARYVILLE – Maryville rallied in the fifth and sixth innings and brought home four runs in the eighth to take game one of the three-game series against Greenville 7-2 at Scotland Yard.
The only run of the first four innings came for the Panthers in the second. An error put a Greenville runner on base, who stole second shortly after. A single brought home the unearned run, to put the visitors up 1-0.
Starting pitcher Bryce Leonhardt did a good job keeping the Panthers at bay in his second win of the young season. The sophomore allowed only run and struck out eight batters in his six innings on the mound for the Scots.
"We had a slow start and came out a little flat," said Maryville head coach Clint Helton. "Bryce gave us a good start on the mound and held them off until we had a chance to get things going on offense."
The start of the Scots' offensive attack came in the fifth inning. Kendall Catlett doubled to left-center to start the bottom of the frame and then advanced to third after a dropped third strike. Max Bowers was next for Maryville and hit an RBI single that tied the game 1-1.
Offense showed up for the Scots even more in the sixth. A strikeout sat down the first Maryville batter before an error at second and a Christian Carlton single put runners at second and third. Jimmy Meredith was next up and an RBI single to left field scored pinch-runner Carter Crow. Another single followed which scored Carlton.
"Big at-bat for us by Catlett in the sixth," Helton said. "Once we got things going the offense took off. It is a big game tomorrow and we can't start off so slow."
Pitcher Damian Lusby took the mound for the Scots in the top of the seventh. The senior earned the save in his three innings of work. Lusby struck out four Greenville batters and walked only one in his first save of the year.
"Damian came in and got an old-school save in three innings," said Helton. "Our pitchers did great and kept the other team in check."
Four runs scored for Maryville in the eighth in an unusual way. Two singles and a walk filled the bases for the home squad with two outs on the board. Bowers then hit a ball to deep center that was misplayed by the outfielder leading to an error that allowed all four Scots to score.
Facing a possible comeback attempt, Maryville was able to hold off the Panthers and allow just one more run in the game which came late in the ninth inning in the 7-2 win.
Carlton led the Scots going 2-for-3 on the day with two runs. Meredith and Catlett both went 2-for-4 with each notching a run and an RBI, with Bowers also adding an RBI.
Maryville is now 3-1 overall after the win. The Scots face Greenville tomorrow with a doubleheader to close out the series. First pitch of game one is now scheduled for noon.
