MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Catie Zani delivered a two-run double to spark Maryville's three-run first and
Jessica Harris added a key run-scoring single in the third as the Scots held off LaGrange 4-3 on Day 1 of the Collegiate Conference of the South Tournament.
Those outbursts supported Maryville's Middle Tennessee pitching duo
Jacey Goetzinger and
Paige Dickinson. Goetzinger went the first 4 and 2-3 innings, allowing the three runs on six hits, before giving way to Dickinson. The junior came on and pitched the final 2 and 1-3 innings, allowing just two hits for her second save.
Goetzinger improved to 7-3 with the victory.
Dickinson also went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. She drove home
Brecca Williams, who tripled leading off the Maryville first to spark that initial three-run rally. Williams went 1-for-2, the same as Zani and
Sydney Dickinson.
Ashtyn Barga and
Ryleigh Maples also had base hits for the Scots.
Zani, the first-year utility specialist from Kingsport, has her average up to a season-high .345. Over her last 11 games, Zani is batting .450 (9-for-20) with five runs scored and all eight of her RBIs.
Maryville wins for the 14th time in the last 17 games and improves to 21-18 for the season. The Scots advance to the CCS Tournament Quarterfinals and take on second-seeded and No. 16-ranked Belhaven in a 1 p.m. Central time start. LaGrange is now 18-21.
