RALEIGH, N.C. – Brecca Williams popped a pair of home runs to highlight Day 1 of a weekend trip to North Carolina.
The Scots traded shutouts here Saturday, falling 5-0 to No. 19-ranked Muskingum before turning the tables and blanking Ferrum 8-0 in a game shorted to six innings by the run rule.
"It was good to see us respond positively, especially at the plate being able to put up eight runs," Maryville head coach
Jill Moore said. "We know we need to score runs to win games, and they responded well."
Williams and
Sydney Dickinson were the second-game stars.
Two Brecca Blasts
Williams belted a solo home run to left-center and a grand slam to right in her first two at bats on her way to a 3-for-4 game. It was the first two-homer collegiate game for the senior, who matched her career high with five RBIs. The only other time Williams drove in five runs was her first game as a Maryville Scot back on Feb. 12, 2022, in a 14-0 win at Emory.
Williams was 3-for-4 that afternoon with a triple and three runs scored. The Maryville native was 3-for-4 Saturday with two home runs, a double and two runs scored. She lined to short for her only out. Her 10 total bases were a career best. Williams now has three career home runs, having hit one last season.
For the year, Williams is batting .579 with a 1.540 OPS.
"Everybody wants a Brecca," Moore said. "We're so lucky to have her and I'm lucky to coach her, but her approach lately at the plate – it's hard to beat.
"She's a competitor. She competes on every pitch and if you get her on one pitch, you're not going to get her a second time. She has taken on the role I've asked her to take on in the two-hole as our RBI hitter and she's done it even better than I could have asked her to do it. I'm just proud of how much her hard work is paying off."
Sydney Stands Out
Dickinson entered Saturday as Maryville's leader in earned-run average, but she had nothing to show for it in the pitching victories column. That changed after Dickinson pitched 5 and 1-3 innings of shutout ball, allowing three hits and striking out eight. The first-year Scot is now 1-4 with a 3.38 ERA.
Dickinson also went 2-for-3 at the plate for her first two-hit game as a Scot.
"That was absolutely her best outing to date," Moore said of Dickinson. "Our pictures are working hard on pitching, not throwing, and today – even in Game 1 – we are understanding how to pitch and how to execute our pitches in a game plan.
"Sydney had a phenomenal outing. She had great stuff today and I'm proud of the way she came out and responded."
Tia Stewart relieved in both games, combining for 3 and 1-3 innings and allowing no runs on one hit while striking out three and walking just one. The sophomore lowered her ERA to 4.41.
Harris Trio on the Bases
Olivia Harris went 3-for-3 in the first game, contributing three of Maryville's five hits.
Jada Harris came off the bench in both games and again delivered pinch-hit singles.
Jada Harris is 4-for-5 for the season.
Jessica Harris was 1-for-3 in Game 2, and
Tomi Taylor gained the start at shortstop in both games and went 1-for-4 with two runs scored and one driven in.
Muskingum in the first game outhit Maryville just 6-5 but delivered when it counted. Both teams had early scoring changes thwarted by double plays, but the Muskies broke through with crooked numbers in the third and fourth innings.
Maryville left seven on base without crossing the plate.
"We were a hit away from being in that game and the ball just kind of went their way," Moore said. "We just couldn't figure out the timely hit, so I am happy we were able to get those hits in Game 2."
Muskingum won again Saturday against Lynchburg to improve to 3-1. Ferrum, meanwhile, lost a 7-6 heartbreaker to Muhlenberg after falling to Maryville and dropped to 2-10.
Maryville with the Saturday split stands 4-8 heading into a Sunday doubleheader at Greensboro (9-5). Start time is 1 p.m.
Remember to set your clocks ahead for Daylight Saving Time!
