MARYVILLE - So nice, they did it twice.
The Scots found themselves in a similar position to last night's game, down 7-6 heading into the final frame of play after LaGrange's power hitter Fragoso hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth to take the late lead.
Up first in the ninth, Matt Hall hit a one-hopper to the shortstop but reached first safely after the ball sailed past the first baseman, allowing Hall to take second. Reece Jordan was walked next, which triggered a pitching change for LaGrange and brought the winning run to base. Ashton Whiteaker smashed a ball down the left field line for a double, bringing home Hall for the tying run. Frank Derner was intentionally walked, bringing up designated hitter Jacob Johnston to bat. Johnston hit into a walk-off fielder's choice to plate Jordan and bring home the win and the series for Maryille, 8-7.
It was Maryville's fifth win of the season when heading into the bottom of the ninth trailing or tied with their opponent (Oberlin, Berry, Belhaven, LaGrange x2)
"They just like competing," Head Coach Clint Helton said. "They play for each other and they love to compete."
Starting Pitcher Nic Mirabella went five innings, giving up five runs on ten hits against 26 batters faced. Relief pitcher Kaden Wimsatt shined in his 2.1 innings, giving up just one hit and no runs against 11 batters. Mitchell Grannan earned the pitching victory with his 1.2-inning outing. He gave up two earned runs on just one hit and was the pitcher of record when the Scots retook the lead in the ninth. Grannan improved to 5-0 on the season with the win, tied for the second most wins in the conference and on the team (Timko 6, Jinks 5).
LaGrange took a large lead on the Scots, going up 5-1 in the fourth inning. Maryville slowly crawled back into the game, scoring two in the fourth, one in the seventh, and two in the eighth to briefly regain the lead, 6-5. Ashton Whiteaker and Zach Devries would both hit singles in the eighth to drive home the two runs in Colin Dunworth and Whiteaker. Jacob Johnston would go on to bring in the winning run on a fielder's choice as the Panthers attempted to get the double-play at first and second, but couldn't get the ball to first in time and allowed Jordan home plate and the winning run.
Johnston was on a tear today, getting a season-high three hits (which also ties a career-high) along with a run scored and a stolen base.
Maryville is now on a 12-game winning streak and has won 10 straight three-game conference series dating back to last season. Their last series loss in conference play came in the season finale against Piedmont in 2023, which is who the Scots will face next weekend to close out the regular season.
Maryville is now 13-1 in conference play (27-8 overall) this year and still leads Piedmont by three games in the CCS standings. The Scots need to win any combination of two games over the next four to secure the regular season CCS championships and the number one seed (and home field advantage) in the tournament. If Piedmont were to lose to Huntingdon and Maryville defeat LaGrange tomorrow, that would also secure the conference for the Scots. Piedmont wraps up their series with Huntingdon, while Maryville will look for the sweep of LaGrange tomorrow for Senior Day, with first pitch scheduled for 1 PM.
