MARYVILLE – A walk-off victory in Game 1 helped Maryville split a CCS doubleheader against Covenant Saturday at Scotland Yard.
Colin Dunworth entered the contest as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning before coming up big in the bottom of the ninth, punching a single up the middle and giving Maryville a 4-3 victory in Game 1.
MC fell 10-3 in Game 2 and now heads into Monday for Game 3 against Covenant looking to pick up their first CCS series victory of the year.
The first matchup of the day was a pitching duel through much of the contest. Neither team scored until the fifth inning when Covenant managed to push a run across on a throwing error. The squad from Lookout Mountain would score two more in the seventh.
Maryville's offense finally came alive in the eighth inning, as it scored its first runs of the day on singles by
Jimmy Meredith and
Max Bowers. This tied the game at three runs apiece heading into the ninth inning.
MC wasted no time in the ninth inning, as
Jacob Johnston and
Hunter Thaxton singled in back-to-back at-bats before Dunworth drove Johnston in to win the game before Covenant even recorded an out.
Maryville outhit Covenant 11-9 in Game 1, led by two hits apiece from Dunworth,
Zach Fritts, and
Will Hubbell. Dunworth went 2-for-2 with the game-winning RBI and a run scored, with both of his coming in the final two innings of play.
Bryce Leonhardt pitched a terrific game for Maryville. The Tampa Product pitched seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits while striking out four. Leonhardt did not allow a free pass in the contest, the first time he has done so this season.
Nic Mirabella picked up the win in the game, pitching a scoreless ninth inning. He is now 4-2 on the season and leads MC in wins.
Fritts, who was coming off a four-RBI game against Sewanee, continued his strong play today, picking up three hits on the day.
Christian Carlton, Meredith, and Ashton Whitaker led the charge for MC in Game 2, each picking up two hits in the nightcap.
Despite the loss in Game 2,
Xavier Resto was a bright spot for Maryville. The freshman came on in relief and pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and four walks while striking out a season-high four batters.
Maryville has the day off on Sunday before returning to action for Game 3 of the series against Covenant on Monday. First Pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
