MARYVILLE, Tenn. -- The Covenant baseball team dropped game one of a three-game conference series at Maryville on Friday evening, 8-4.
The loss drops Covenant to 18-13 overall and 4-7 in conference play.
The host Scots took a 3-0 lead after scoring one run in the first, second, and third innings. In each of the innings, Maryville retired all Covenant batters in order and connected on seven hits over the span of the innings. In contrast, the Scots would not tally a hit until the fourth.
Covenant's first hits of the day came from back-to-back singles from Ken Burke and Lewis Saunders in the top of the fourth inning. And after a sacrifice fly from Alex Gonzalez allowed Burke to score, the Scots were able to bring in their first run of the day, making it 3-1.
Maryville would quickly extend their lead back out to three, though, in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single from Jimmy Meredith (4-1). And despite singles from Josh Harvey and Zeke Gilbert in the top of the fifth, the score would remain 4-1 in favor of Maryville until the bottom of the sixth inning when the host Scots would extend the lead once again.
Maryville used three singles in their half of the sixth to bring across their fifth score of the contest (5-1). The host Scots would then follow up the sixth with a three-run seventh inning to take a 8-1 lead.
Maryville produced four hits during the rally, including three singles and a double from Ian Campbell.
Covenant would quickly answer, though, in the top of the eighth with two runs of their own. The scores came thanks to a two-RBI home run from Burke, which cut Maryville's lead to five (8-3).
After two walks and a single from Harvey loaded the bases for Covenant in the top of the ninth, the visiting Scots were able to tack on another run. But, it was not enough, as the Maryville defense would soon retire the side, sealing the 8-4 victory.
Covenant ended the contest with seven total hits. Burke went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Harvey was also 2-for-4. Adam Carver (4-5) got the start on the mound for the visiting Scots, pitching seven innings with seven earned runs and one strikeout.
Maryville connected on 15 hits. Meredith and Campbell were both 2-for-5. Matthew Petzelt went 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Damian Lusby (4-5) started at pitcher for Maryville and pitched 8.1 innings with three earned runs and 10 strikeouts.
Maryville improves to 8-20 overall and 4-9 in conference play.
UP NEXT
Covenant will face Maryville tomorrow, May 1, for a double-header. First pitch is scheduled for 2PM EDT.
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