MARYVILLE – Maryville earned a series victory over LaGrange Sunday afternoon, defeating the Panthers 7-2 to take 2-out-of-3 games in the weekend series at Scotland Yard.
The Scots offense continues to thrive in the tail end of the season, picking up 12 hits, including two that went for extra bases. MC has now reached 10 or more hits in eight straight games, and 11 of their last 12.
Ashton Whiteaker and
Colin Dunworth led the way offensively, each picking up three hits in the contest. Whiteaker went 3-for-4 with a double while driving in a team-high three runs. Dunworth went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. The Freshman's three knocks mark the first three-hit performance of his career.
Hunter Thaxton and
Will Hubbell both extended their hitting streaks to five games in the contest. Thaxton went 2-for-5, and Hubbell was 1-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored while doubling his season walk total with three free passes.
Maryville starting pitcher
Mitchell Grannan looked strong on the mound. The righty pitched a season-high seven innings and allowed just two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two batters. Grannan leads all MC pitchers in ERA (2.72) and strikeouts (51).
LaGrange scored first in the second inning, But the Scots would tie it up in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single from Dunworth that brought home
Max Bowers.
In the third, Hubbell led off with a walk and advanced to second on a stolen base. Thaxton then singled to center field, advancing Hubbell to third. Hubbell finally crossed home plate on an RBI double from Whiteaker, giving the Scots a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth.
LaGrange tied it up on an RBI single from Joe Ruth in the sixth inning, but just like in the second, Maryville fired back quickly to retake the lead in the bottom half of the inning. This time it was
Jimmy Meredith who drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, followed by an RBI single from Hubbell to score
Gabriel Lopez to make it 4-2.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, The Scots picked up some much-needed insurance runs, scoring three and extending their lead to 7-2. Meredith, Hubbell, and Bowers each worked walks in the inning, loading the bases with two outs and setting the stage for Whiteaker, who came through again with a two-RBI single up the middle.
Zach Fritts, who entered as a pinch hitter drove in the final run of the game with a single through the right side, allowing Bowers to come around to score.
Xavier Resto picked up his first save of the season, pitching two scoreless innings, allowing two hits, and walking one while striking out two batters.
Maryville is off during the week before returning to action on Friday for the first of a three-game series at Piedmont. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 6 p.m.
