Box Score Graham Hits Homer in 10-2 Loss
MARYVILLE – A solid display of pitching and hitting from Huntingdon pushed the Hawks past Maryville 10-2 on Saturday afternoon.
"Their starter threw well and kept us off-balance," said Scots' head coach Clint Helton. "We were able to get some hits off him, but he did a good job not letting that get to him. They went to the bullpen and kept getting us out."
Things started out on a positive note for Maryville. The Scots turned a double play in the top of the first and notched two hits over the first two innings while holding Huntingdon to no runs and just one hit.
In the top of the third, the Hawks saw a momentum shift in their favor. They were able to score three runs thanks to a single and double after the second batter was plated on an error.
Zac Graham got things going for the Maryville offense in the bottom of the fourth. He hit a solo home run to right center that bounced off the light pole. It was the second homer of the season for the sophomore.
Huntingdon tacked on three more runs in the next inning. Two of the runs were unearned thanks to a throwing error. Helton said those miscues allowed the Hawks to keep moving with their game plan.
"When you let the leadoff hitter on base by giving them walks or errors it allows them to run their offense," said Helton. "We gave them the opportunity to do what they wanted to do."
Only one more run scored for the Scots in the game. In the bottom of the eighth, Gabe Lopez was on second with one thanks to being hit by a pitch and stealing second. Nelson Smith was called out due to batter's interference on a play where Ian Campbell was caught stealing. With those two outs on the board, Graham came up and hit an RBI single to score Lopez.
The Hawks took the game 10-2 setting up a rubber match tomorrow at 1 p.m.
"They executed today and we didn't. We didn't play our type of baseball and made some blunders," Helton said. "It is hard to win games like that, but that's why it's a series."
Maryville was led by Graham who went 2-for-3 with the Scots' only two RBIs. Five other batters for the home team notched hits.
Chris Arbuthnot had the start and the loss on the mound for Maryville. He pitched 4 1/3 innings and allowed three earned runs. Three more Scot hurlers entered the game with Damian Lusby following Arbuthnot before Tanner Hurd and Jakob Kerr took the mound.
A crucial game to determine the winner of the USA South series awaits Maryville tomorrow at Scotland Yard.
"Winning tomorrow is going to take everybody," Helton said. "We are pretty well set with our pitching staff and bullpen. Anytime you have adversity it's about how you respond. That's what we teach our guys and we will see how they respond."
