DECATUR, Ga.—Agnes Scott Softball hung tough to the very end with defending USA South champ Maryville before ultimately dropping a pair of conference contests on Sunday afternoon. The Scotties nearly gutted out a rally in a 2-1 game one loss before losing to the Scots 6-0 in the finale at Oakhurst Park.
The Scotties looked ready to play from the outset despite the fresh sting from a pair of disappointing losses to Brevard on Saturday. Agnes Scott (2-20, 0-6 USA South) will look to continue its strong defensive play when they welcome Covenant to town on Wednesday.
Game One
Both starting pitchers skated through the early innings without as much of a whisper from either offense.
Maryville finally broke the silence in the top of the fourth when Reid Ballard (Seymour, Tenn.) singled to lead off the inning before heading to second on a Scottie throwing error. Ballard was ushered home just two batters later when Sarah Gordon (Knoxville, Tenn.) hit a line drive to the gap in left that rolled all the way to the wall.
The Scots added another one inning later with a two-out base hit off the bat of conference average leader Taylor Campbell (Afton, Tenn.) to score the speedy Ashton Hayden (Hendersonville, Tenn.).
Agnes Scott found an answer in the bottom of the sixth inning down two runs. With two outs and a runner on second, KayLeigh Fitzgerald (Dalton, Ga.) laced a ball into the left-field corner to easily score Val Rivas (Nashville, Tenn.). However, Fitzgerald was called out on a close play at second to end the inning without the Scotties adding the equalizer.
The Scotties were able to get the tying run on base in the last half of the seventh, but Katlyn Smith (Loganville, Ga.) ground out the win for the Scots. The Maryville starter sent down eight batters on strikes while only giving up four hits and Fitzgerald's RBI.
Agnes' Kayla Spinks (Social Circle, Ga.) surrendered only one earned run on seven hits.
Game Two
Maryville found its offensive groove in the second scheduled game. After being held quiet in the opener, Maryville tacked on five runs over the first two innings. Four different Scots drove in runs, while another big 50-50 call went Maryville's way with a double steal causing a close play at the plate.
The Scotties were limited to just two hits in the second game and never put pressure on starter Casey Jolliff (St. Johns, Fla.) in seven innings.
Essence Strambler (Freeport, Texas) hit a solo shot over the left field fence in the top of the fifth for Maryville's sixth run.
Senior Kayla Quesenberry (Inverness, Fla.) pitched two and a third of shutout relief innings for the Scotties.