Box Score Graham Hits Solo Homer
LaGRANGE, Ga. – Maryville fell 8-1 in Game 2 against conference foe LaGrange, which gave the No. 4 ranked Panthers the series win.
The Scots were the only team to put a runner in scoring position in the first inning. Christian Carlton made it to first after walking and second on a ground out. LaGrange had two ground outs and a strikeout in the first frame.
It was the second frame that turned things sour for Maryville. After a hitless top of the finning, the Panthers got to work on offense. Back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases for LaGrange. A Rhett Hebertsingle through the right side brought the first run in.
The next two batters struck out swinging, which signaled hope for the Scots. That hope was short-lived as consecutive doubles scored three Panthers. Another two RBIs came for the home team on a Joe Ruth single.
Maryville did get on the board in the fourth inning. Zac Graham led the frame off with a solo home run, his sixth homer of the season. Jimmy Meredith was up next and hit an infield single.
Unfortunately, the Graham run was the only one scored for the Scots. LaGrange put up two more hits, one each in the sixth and eighth, to take the 8-1 win.
Nic Mirabella got the start on the mound for Maryville. He struck out five batters in his three innings of work but gave up six earned runs in the Panthers' fruitful second inning. Chris Arbuthnot entered in relief for the Scots and struck out two while only allowing one earned run over five innings.
Mirabella moves to 3-2 on the season for Maryville with the loss. Dalton Brooks of LaGrange pitched a complete game and remains perfect with a 5-0 record.
Graham scored the only run and notched the only RBI for the Scots with his solo homer. Meredith was 2-for-3 and followed by Gabe Lopez who had two hits on four trips to the plate. Max Bowers also added a hit for the visiting team in the seventh inning.
Maryville holds down the No. 3 spot in the USA South West Division standings despite falling to 7-7 in league play. The Scots have one less loss than Covenant who sits in fourth place and two fewer losses than fifth place Brevard.
The final game of the LaGrange series is set for tomorrow at 2 p.m. It is the last regular-season road contest for Maryville, with the team returning home Friday for the final three games of conference action.
