Oxford, Ala. – Maryville softball concluded its run at the CCS Tournament following an 11-0 loss to Huntingdon and a 12-4 defeat in the semifinal elimination game against Belhaven.
Throughout the tournament, the Scots tallied 23 hits, 14 runs, nine walks, two doubles, and two home runs. Catie Zani led the way offensively, recording two hits and driving in five RBIs. Three of those RBIs proved pivotal in Maryville's quarterfinal victory over top-seeded Belhaven.
In the circle, Sydney Dickinson and Tia Stewart delivered strong performances. Dickinson earned the win in the quarterfinal matchup against Belhaven, tossing 6.0 innings while facing 28 batters. She allowed just two hits and two earned runs while striking out four. Stewart turned in a dominant outing against LaGrange, striking out seven and surrendering only one earned run across 6.0 innings while facing 25 batters.
Maryville now says goodbye to five key seniors following the 2026 season: Jessica Harris, Whitney Carr, Paige Dickinson, Emma Blankenship, and Olivia Harris.
Jessica Harris made an immediate impact after transferring from Roane State CC, appearing in 87 games with 82 starts. She finished her career with a .295 batting average, 74 hits, 57 runs, and 40 RBIs. On defense, she recorded 154 putouts and 116 assists for a .957 fielding percentage. Harris earned CSC Academic All-District honors, was named CCS Academic All-Conference, and received CCS Second Team All-Conference recognition.
Whitney Carr spent three seasons with the Scots after transferring from Roane State CC, appearing in 38 games with 19 starts in the circle. Carr posted a 12-6 record across 105.0 innings pitched with a 4.33 ERA, striking out 41 batters. She was a two-time CCS Academic All-Conference selection during her time at Maryville.
A four-year starter, Paige Dickinson leaves behind one of the most impactful careers in program history, appearing in 172 games with 160 starts. She totaled 157 hits and 134 RBIs while posting a .320 batting average and a .492 slugging percentage. Her career includes 39 doubles, three triples, and 13 home runs. In the circle, Dickinson recorded a 4.57 ERA across 138.0 innings pitched with 48 strikeouts. Defensively, she tallied 460 putouts and 66 assists for a .969 fielding percentage. Dickinson was a three-time CCS Second Team All-Conference selection, a two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree, a three-time CCS Academic All-Conference selection, and earned CCS Rookie of the Week honors.
A Maryville High School graduate, Emma Blankenship spent four seasons close to home, appearing in 125 games with 83 starts. She concludes her collegiate career with 81 hits, 74 runs, 38 walks, 35 RBIs, 10 doubles, and nine triples. Defensively, she recorded 155 putouts and two assists in the outfield. Blankenship earned CCS Player of the Week honors, was named CSC Academic All-District twice, and was a three-time CCS Academic All-Conference selection.
Olivia Harris spent her final two seasons alongside her sister after transferring from Middle Georgia, appearing in 78 games with 64 starts. She posted a .257 batting average and a .351 slugging percentage, totaling 49 hits, 38 RBIs, and 41 runs. Behind the plate, she recorded 133 putouts and 18 assists, finishing with a .987 fielding percentage. She was named CSC Academic All-District and earned CCS Academic All-Conference honors.
In her first season as head coach, Bayleigh Masterson led the Scots to a 28-16 overall record and an 11-5 mark in conference play. Maryville secured multiple wins over ranked opponents, including a victory over No. 9 Huntingdon and two wins over No. 9 Belhaven. In her debut season, Masterson coached two first-team all-conference selections and four second-team honorees, closing out Maryville's final chapter in the CCS before transitioning to the SAA.
Maryville returns a strong core heading into the 2027 season, highlighted by junior pitcher Tia Stewart, who owns a 21-14 career record with a 4.03 ERA across 226.0 innings pitched and 125 strikeouts. Sophomore Sydney Dickinson returns as a two-way threat with a 3.85 ERA and 131 strikeouts in the circle, while also leading at the plate with a .355 batting average, 71 hits, 56 RBIs, 14 doubles, two triples, and 15 home runs. Junior third baseman Ryleigh Maples has tallied 54 career hits and 34 RBIs to go along with 89 putouts and 121 assists, while sophomore shortstop Kaylee Peyret adds 50 career hits, a .318 batting average, and 32 RBIs with 59 putouts and 57 assists. Zani returns after a breakout sophomore campaign with a .339 batting average, 63 hits, 51 RBIs, 18 doubles, one triple, and 13 home runs, along with 77 putouts in the outfield. Sophomore Abby Woodard also returns in right field, totaling 19 hits, 15 RBIs, 81 putouts, and seven assists.
