Box Score Two-Out Runs Key 10-8 Victory
Photos by Tommy Wilson & Brent Milam
MARYVILLE – Maryville needed a Sunday win to get a USA South series victory, and the Scots held on for a 10-8 triumph over Huntingdon here at Scotland Yard.
Two-out magic was the theme of the day as Maryville scored eight of its 10 runs after two were out. The Scots bounced back from Saturday's 10-2 loss to score runs in six of their first seven turns at bat.
"Two-out hits and two-out runs are huge, especially on Sundays in conference play," Maryville head coach Clint Helton said. "That carries momentum and you've got to keep your foot on the gas. Sundays you've got to score 10 runs."
The win pushes the Scots to 17-8 overall and 3-3 in the USA South. That's fifth in the Western Division standings (top four make the postseason tourney), and Helton knew this was a big one if the Scots wanted to stay within shouting distance.
"We knew as coaches it was a big deal, but we didn't make it a big deal in the dugout," Helton said. "We asked them to play loose but keep it focused, and they responded after Saturday."
Mirabella Goes Six Strong
Nic Mirabella was the pitching star for Maryville with his longest career outing and first collegiate victory. The righthander went the first six innings and allowed one (unearned) run on three hits. His three strikeouts came in his final inning of work.
"We played really good defense," Mirabella said. "Gabe Lopez and Jimmy Meredith both made plays, and Kendall Catlett was good behind the plate all game. Not a lot of strikeouts, just a lot of weak contact."
Helton said his Sunday starter is getting stronger each week.
"We know his workload is up, and he's been fighting that fifth inning when he loses his release point," Helton said. "But he made the adjustment and he got through it. He pitched well."
Big Week for Big Zac
Zac Graham continued to swing a hot bat for the Scots. The sophomore third baseman was 3-for-4 Sunday with a pair of RBIs to complete a big week. Graham went 7-for-11 in the series with a double, a homer and five RBIs, and he was 10-for-15 when adding in the Bob Jones game from Tuesday.
Graham with his big week took over the team lead in batting at .404. He's the leader in doubles (9) and home runs (3) and stands second in RBIs (19), trailing only Max Bowers (22).
Lopez and Zach Fritts both went 3-for-5. Lopez scored twice and ripped a two-run triple in the fifth, while Fritts added a run and an RBI. Ian Campbell belted his first home run of the season leading off the fourth and finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two driven in.
Campbell also ended the game with a long running catch toward the line in right field.
"The coaches have been preaching all season that if one of us starts hitting, we all will start hitting," said Fritts, who is batting .291 since the first of March. "It's contagious, and it happened again today. We love it."
Fritts in his first season on the Maryville campus has been paying attention in the batting cage. The junior has been sharing time in the outfield and at designated hitter, and he feels comfortable with either role.
"Mainly keeping it calm and making sure I'm not getting ahead of myself," he said. "Doing what the coaches have told me and getting extra reps – it's paid off in the games. We have a good rotation in the outfield. No matter where we are, somebody is going to make a play. Outfield or DH, I'm good to go."
Crazy Ninth Finally Halted
Maryville led 10-3 going to the ninth before Huntingdon began peppering the ball around the infield. The Hawks scored five runs on four hits, a pair of walks, a passed ball and a wild pitch until Damian Lusby finally put out the fire with the tying run at the plate.
The Hawks lost their first USA South series of the year, falling to 15-11 overall and 6-3 in league.
Maryville is schedule to play at Sewanee on Wednesday in a 2 p.m. Central time start. The Scots host Berea next weekend for a Saturday doubleheader and Sunday single game, beginning both days at 1 p.m.
