LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. – The Covenant softball team had another hot-hitting day in a conference split with the visiting Maryville Scots.

Covenant combined for 21 total hits on the day, as they would take game one, 8-0, and drop a close game two, 7-6.

The split brings Covenant to 9-3 in USA South play and 19-12 overall.

GAME ONE: Covenant 8, Maryville 0

Lauren Kierpa (8-7) only allowed Maryville two hits compared with Covenant's 10 in the host Scots' 8-0 shutout victory in game one. The senior picked up the win, recording four strikeouts, zero earned runs, and zero walks in the five innings played. 

Lauren Kay continued her hot hitting, going 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored. Vanessa Davis was a perfect 3-of-3 with an RBI, while Taylor Murdock, Jordan Holman, Helena Nagy, Alexa Gonzalez, and Makenna Dance all recorded one hit apiece.

Covenant jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first thanks to four hits. Three out of the four were extra-base hits, as Kay tripled and Murdock and Davis both doubled.

The host Scots would then tack on another run in the bottom of the second when Davis connected on an RBI-single (5-0). 

The lead remained at five runs until the fifth inning, when Covenant would score three runs off of two hits and three Maryville errors. 

After the Covenant Scots placed runners on the corners, errors brought around the two runs, making it 7-0. Dance then connected on an RBI-single, bringing in Covenant's eighth run and sealing the 8-0 run-rule victory.

Maryville's lone hits came off the bats of Jenica Brown and Sara Koonce. Megan Ackerman (10-8) pitched the entirety of the contest for the visiting Scots and earned the loss after allowing 10 hits and three earned runs.

GAME TWO: Maryville 7, Covenant 6

Game two brought much back-and-forth action, but Maryville would ultimately prevail, 7-6.

Covenant struck first in the bottom of the second. Rebecca Hazard singled and was brought around to score thanks to an RBI-groundout from Gonzalez, making it 1-0.

Maryville would then score their first runs of the day in the top of the third off of three hits. After back-to-back singles, Emily Hill doubled, bringing in two runs and giving the visiting Scots a 2-1 lead.

After Maryville was held scoreless in the fourth, Covenant would take back the lead in their half of the inning, scoring three runs off of three hits.

An RBI-single from Gonzalez brought in the tying run (2-2), which was followed by a sacrifice fly and RBI from Dance, which made it 3-2. Mary Elaine Mitchell then singled, bringing around Gonzalez and giving Covenant a two-run lead (4-2).

But, Maryville would answer with a big fifth inning, adding five runs to the board to take a three-run lead (7-4).

The visitors connected on four hits to bring across the runs, including a triple from Amaya Goodloe and a home run by Kaliyah Hensic.

Covenant would load the bases in the bottom of the same inning, but only be able to bring one run across thanks to a single from Davis (7-5).

The host Scots continued to chip away at the deficit, cutting it to one thanks to a solo home run from Kay in the bottom of the sixth (7-6). The home run marked the freshman's eighth of the season and fifth over the last four games. 

Covenant would hold Maryville scoreless in the top of the seventh and have runners in scoring position in their own half of the inning. But, Maryville's defense shut down the threat, saving their one-run win (7-6).

Hazard finished 3-of-4, while Gonzalez tallied a hit and two RBIs. Kay and Davis both went 2-for-4 with an RBI each. Maggie Harris (3-1) was handed the loss after pitching 4.1 innings and recording two strikeouts, five earned runs, and three walks. 

Hill was 1-for-2 with two RBIs, while Hensic went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Kennedy Henry (4-2) pitched the entirety of the contest, with three strikeouts, zero walks, and four earned runs.

Maryville now sits at 7-3 in conference play (16-14 overall).

UP NEXT

Covenant will travel to face Piedmont this Saturday, April 16. First pitch of the USA South doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS

Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.