BEREA, Ky. – Maryville and Berea split the doubleheader on Saturday, but the Scots dropped the series against their conference foes 2-1.
Maryville took Game 1 by a score of 6-3 and fell in Game 2, 6-4. Game 1's victory marked the Scots' first conference win as a member of the Collegiate Conference of the South.
Zac Graham was the driving force for the Scots' offense in both games today. He led the squad with four hits on the day, including two extra-base hits. Graham hit a home run in Game 1 and picked up an RBI double in the nightcap. The sophomore ended his 11-game homerless streak with the blast, his longest home run drought of the season. He now has a team-high nine long balls this season.
Graham's home run was one of four total in the first matchup of the twin bill. Berea's AJ Wylie blasted two deep flies in the contest while Michael Vasquez picked one up as well.
All three of the Mountaineers' runs came off solo blasts.
Hunter Thaxton joined Graham as the only other Scot with multiple hits in Game 1, while
Jacob Johnston and
Christian Carlton matched him with two hits apiece in Game 2.
Maryville scored first in Game 2 on an RBI double from Carlton, but Berea fired back quickly. The Mountaineers scored all six of their runs in the first four innings of the contest, making it 6-1 heading into the fifth.
Maryville would get a few runs back in the final innings, but the damage was done, and the Scots dropped Game 2.
Brandon Schlabach picked up his first win of the season in Game 1. He entered as a reliever in the seventh inning, pitching 2 2/3 of the
Kyle Timko pitched 6 1/3 innings as the starter in Game 1. He allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out five batters. The Freshman has now struck out five batters in three of his eight starts.
Mitchell Grannan got the start in Game 2. The sophomore allowed six runs in four innings of work, but just two of them were earned. He allowed six hits and two walks while striking out four batters in his outing.
Bryce Einstein pitched four scoreless innings of relief to finish Game 2. The junior sidewinder scattered four hits while striking out two batters and not allowing a walk. Einstein leads all pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched with a 2.18 ERA (5 ER/20.2 IP).
The Scots return to action on Tuesday for a mid-week matchup against Sewanee on the road. The Scots picked up an authoritative win over the Tigers earlier in the season, handing them an 11-1 loss in their first matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Central.
