Seven-run fourth inning lifts Scots over LaGrange, 8-4


A seven-run fourth inning lifted Maryville College over LaGrange College on Saturday afternoon, as the Scots stormed back from three down for an 8-4 USA South victory.

Maryville remains perfect in the conference through seven games, as they lead the league with a 7-0 mark.

Essence Strambler blasted a three-run shot in the fourth, while Casey Joliff tallied a two-RBI hit to lead Maryville to victory.

LaGrange College struck first in the top of the first inning. The Panthers drew back-to-back walks, before Kaitlin Redman was hit-by-pitch to load the bases. Lauren DeLoach singled down the right-field line for two RBI, plating Sydney Hodorff and Carolyn Harkness. Redman scored on a wild pitch, giving LaGrange a 3-0 lead.

That's where the score remained until the fourth inning. Taylor Campbell singled to leadoff the inning, before a Reid Ballard double down the left-field line put a pair of runners in scoring position. Sarah Gordon singled through the left side to plate Campbell, before Joliff put a two-RBI shot up the middle scored pinch runners Grace Gordon and Gabrielle Rathmell. Ashton Hayden scored pinch runner Amaya Goodloe from second with an RBI single to left, before Strambler's three-run shot scored Alexus Murray and Hayden for a 7-3 Maryville lead.

LaGrange got a run back in the bottom of the fifth, as Redman scored her second run of the game. She walked, before scoring on a Haley Coleman RBI double to left for a 7-4 score.

Maryville scored an insurance run in the top of the seventh, as Murray crossed home on Ballard's sacrifice fly to center for the 8-4 win.

Maryville (15-8, 7-0 USA South) was led by Strambler who had a trio of RBI and a run in a 1-for-4 day. Campbell was 3-for-4 with a run, while Murray went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs. Ballard was 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Joliff was 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI. Hayden went 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI, as Sarah Gordon went 1-for-4 with an RBI. Goodloe, Rathmell and Grace Gordon each scored a run for the Scots.

Katlyn Smith claimed her 10th victory of the year with a complete-game performance. She allowed four earned runs, four hits and seven walks while striking out seven Panthers on the day.

LaGrange (6-9, 2-5) was led by Coleman who was 2-for-4 with an RBI. DeLoach was 1-for-3 with a pair of RBI, while Redman scored two runs.