PEARL, Miss. — Maryville (Tenn.) (10-8, 1-3) fell to Belhaven (15-3, 1-0) in a close contest, with a final score of 7–5 on Friday at Trustmark Park. The Scots took an early lead by scoring three runs in the first inning, but Belhaven surged ahead with a pivotal three-run sixth inning. Despite a solid pitching effort that included eight strikeouts, the Scots were unable to regain the lead.
Belhaven seized the lead in the sixth inning with a critical offensive surge, turning a 4–2 deficit into a 5–4 advantage. A series of missteps for the Scots included a passed ball, a walk, and a two-RBI single by Chess Parker. This sequence shifted momentum, setting the stage for Belhaven to maintain control.
The Scots initially jumped ahead with a three-run first inning, sparked by
Masin Hall's RBI single to left field and
Det Dettwiller's RBI single to center.
Colin Dunworth added an RBI single in the fifth, driving in
Drew Henry to extend the lead. However, key opportunities slipped away as the team left runners stranded and couldn't capitalize on free bases.
In the seventh, the Scots mounted a brief rally, with
Garrett Edgar scoring on a balk to close the gap to 7–5. Despite this effort, the team could not muster another breakthrough, with Belhaven's defense stifling any further comeback attempts.
Kyle Timko took the mound for the Scots, pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing four earned runs on 10 hits. Timko struck out five batters while walking one and threw 82 pitches, 51 of which were strikes.
Xavier Resto entered in relief, pitching 1 1/3 innings and conceding three runs, one earned, on three hits, with two strikeouts and two walks.
Logan Denton closed out the game with 1 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and striking out one, while walking one.
Colin Dunworth delivered a strong performance with two hits and one RBI, scoring once and maintaining an OPS of 1.000.
Brayden Evans contributed both offensively and defensively, scoring one run, recording one hit, and adding five assists at shortstop.
Masin Hall added to the team's efforts with one hit and one RBI, while also scoring a run. Timko pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing four earned runs and striking out five batters.
The Scots (10-8, 1-3) look to games two and three tomorrow against the Blazers.
