MARYVILLE – Four games. Four run-rule victories.
Maryville took care of business once again here Saturday versus another Georgia league foe, this time sweeping Wesleyan back to the Peach State with a pair of run-rule triumphs. One day after Maryville swept away Agnes Scott, MC took care of the Wolves from Macon by 14-1 and 9-0 score lines.
Both games went just five innings.
The Scots pounded out a combined 23 runs on 28 hits to just one run on four hits for the visitors, pushing Maryville into the top spot offensively in the Collegiate Conference of the South. MC as a team is batting .356, which is percentage points ahead of Piedmont.
"I'm happy with our plate approaches; we are back to doing what we need to do," Maryville head coach
Jill Moore said. "We are looking for the right pitches to hit and everyone, one through nine and our whole team, has stepped up when I have asked them to. I am proud of how we played."
Brecca Williams and
Sara Koonce had five hits apiece, with Williams blasting her first collegiate home run in Game 2. The solo shot led off the fourth inning and was a line drive over the left field fence.
Williams finished the doubleheader 5-for-6 with four runs scored, three RBIs and two stolen bases. Koonce was 5-for-7 with three runs scored, two doubles, one RBI and one stolen base. Williams leads the CCS with 49 hits and 47 runs. Koonce leads the conference with 81 total bases and is second in both home runs (6) and RBIs (36).
Confidence All Around Her
Megan Ackerman took advantage of another Maryville offensive explosion to pick up her 13th victory and NCAA Division III-leading 13th complete game. Ackerman allowed one unearned run over her five innings, striking out three and walking none.
The Johnson City lefty at 13-3 has matched her career-high win total from a year ago, when she finished 13-10. And her 1.02 ERA thus far is miles lower than last year's 2.35. Ackerman feels a sense of pride and accomplishment that she is saving her best softball for her final season.
"Having confidence in myself and confidence in my teammates has really been a big factor," Ackerman said. "It has been a different pitch every game; it's not the same pitch. Whatever is working that day, we find something. And even when they start hitting, my team makes great plays behind me. Having that behind my back really sets me at ease.
"And when you have a team that puts up 20 runs in two games, you don't have to worry about much. That helps a lot right there. My goal is to be consistent and someone my team can rely on every day."
Hoschak Heating Up
Mikayla Hoschak has been another reliable hurler of late. The Florida southpaw started Saturday's Game 2 and pitched four shutout innings to earn the victory, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out two.
Over her last 14 and 1/3 innings, Hoschak has allowed three earned runs on eight hits, with three walks and 12 strikeouts for a 1.47 ERA. Hoschak says realizing she is not alone in the circle has turned her season around.
"I get very internal very fast," Hoschak said. "So if I just focus on, 'Let's do this for my team; let's get these outs,' that's what helps me a lot and that's what has helped me the past few outings.
"Coach told me last night that I was starting, so it was nice to be able to mentally prepare for it. I'm just excited that I was able to help the team out and do my best."
Moore can see the entire pitching staff peaking at the right time.
"Our pitchers were phenomenal this weekend," Moore said. "Our staff is working well together. They are clicking and they are taking on any situation I put them in, and they are doing an excellent job. Megan has led us, and she is teaching the rest of our staff and being a good leader. It shows in how our pitching staff is developing."
Trio with Three Hits Each
Three other Scots went 3-for-6 in the twin bill.
Bailey Myers finished with a double, a sacrifice fly, two runs scored and three driven in.
Emily Hill had a double, two runs scored and three RBIs. And
Kaitlin Woodruff belted a pair of doubles.
Micayla Clark was 2-for-2 with three runs scored and an RBI, while
Paige Dickinson finished 2-for-4 with a sacrifice fly, a pair of runs scored and three driven in.
Maryville closed the month of March 14-4 and riding a season-high six-game winning streak. The Scots are 23-9 overall and 6-2 in the CCS. They play again Friday at LaGrange (8-20, 2-2 CCS) in a 3 p.m. doubleheader.
