LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. – Maryville continued its Collegiate Conference of the South dominance Friday afternoon, defeating Covenant 10-5 in Game 1 of the three-game set at the Covenant Baseball Field. Maryville has now won eight straight games, dating back to April 3, against Asbury.
After outscoring Berea 36-9 across three games last weekend, Maryville picked up right where it left off, scoring two runs in the first inning to take a quick 2-0 lead. MC has now scored multiple runs in the first inning in five straight games, dating back to Game 2 against Huntingdon on April 6, at Scotland Yard.
After a two-run homer from Chris Savage in the second inning tied the game at 2-2, Maryville struck back in the top of the fifth with a five-run inning, capped off by a two-run long ball from
Colin Dunworth, his second of the year.
Dunworth went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored in the contest. He now has multiple RBIs in back-to-back games for the second time this season, with the first instance coming in the first two games of the season, against Roanoke (Feb. 17).
Zac Graham led the Scots with four hits in the contest, his second four-hit performance in his last three games. The 3B was 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Over his last six games, he is batting .583 (14-for-24) with two home runs, a triple, three doubles, 12 RBI, and six runs scored.
Ashton Whiteaker continued to showcase his prowess as a run producer, driving in three RBIs in the contest. He drove in the first run of the game with a single in the first, before plating two more with another knock in the fifth to kick off the big inning for MC.
The catcher finished the game 2-for-4 with three RBIs, two runs scored, and a stolen base. He extended his hitting streak to 10 straight games in the contest, batting .400 (16-for-40).
Jimmy Meredith and
Max Bowers were the other MC hitters to pick up multiple knocks in the game, as Maryville picked up 16 hits. This is the fourth time the Scots have recorded 16 or more base hits in a game, and their third time in their last four contests.
Mitchell Grannan got the nod for Maryville on the bump, pitching 4 2/3 innings as the starter. He allowed two runs on just two hits while striking out six batters.
Xavier Resto improved to 3-1 Friday afternoon, pitching 3 1/3 innings in relief against Covenant. The righty, who was Maryville's top reliever coming into the contest allowed one run on four hits while striking out one batter and walking none. This marks the second time this season (10 appearances, 28.2 IP) that the sophomore did not issue a free pass.
Maryville is back in action against Covenant Saturday afternoon for a doubleheader on Lookout Mountain. First pitch is scheduled for noon, with Game 2 slated to follow approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1.
