By Joshua J. Darling, Sports Information Director
MARYVILLE, Tenn. – No. 13/16 LaGrange (25-9, 11-2 CCS) embraced that truest of Yogi-ism's of "It Ain't Over 'Till Its Over" as they rallied with six runs over the final two innings to down Maryville (19-13, 3-10 CCS) by a 7-4 score in an NCAA Division III baseball game on Friday, April 21.
The Scots would get on the board in the bottom of the first as a one-out hit by pitch and a walk put two on, setting up Hunter Thaxton to lace a two-out single through the left side for a 1-0 lead. It would stay that way until the fourth as neither team managed a hit over the next two innings.
That would change in the top of that frame as the Panthers took advantage of their own walk by sophomore outfielder Jorge Fragoso (East Point, Ga.), who moved to second on a groundout and scored on a single to left by freshman outfielder Curt Bonner (Cartersville, Ga.). It wouldn't stay tied long, however, as a leadoff double by Maryville's Jacob Johnston set them up to take back the lead on a single to center by Jimmy Meredith.
Three singles and a sacrifice bunt in the first four batters of the bottom of the sixth would then extend to a 3-1 lead on a hit to left by Max Bowers. A walk would then load the bases with one out before a 6-4-3 double play choked off any further opportunity to do damage.
As it turned out, following a scoreless seventh, that damage would come into play after all – in the form of six runs by LaGrange over the final two innings. That barrage began in the top of the eighth with a double to the right centerfield gap by senior third baseman Joe Ruth (Chiefland, Fla.) that scored senior outfielder Rhett Mixon (Loganville, Ga.). That would be followed immediately by a single to center by Bonner that plated Ruth and knotted it up at 3-3.
While Maryville would escape the inning tied they would not do so in the top of the ninth as the Panthers' flexed their muscle with four runs on as many hits and an error. A leadoff double by freshman first baseman Brody Hollingsworth (Powder Springs, Ga.) and a bunt single by junior second baseman Adam Dorn (Canton, Ga.) quickly put LaGrange ahead as the former scored on a throwing error by the pitcher.
A one-out Mixon single would put two on again, and following a fly ball out, it would be another error – this time in pitch location – that would be the undoing of the Scots as Ruth belted a three-run shot over the right field fence for a 7-3 lead.
That one key mistake would be magnified in the bottom of the frame as MU scored what would have been the tying run on a Meredith triple down the right field line with one out. However, Ruth's blast was the difference as back-to-back strikeouts then sealed the 7-4, come-from-behind victory.
Meredith would lead the Scots, going 3-for-4 with that triple, a pair of RBIs, a run and a steal while Bowers was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Thaxton accounted for the other RBI and Ashton Whiteaker finished the day 2-for-4 with a double. Bryce Leonhardt started and went 7.2 innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out four to pick up a no-decision. It would be Brandon Schlabach that would suffer the loss after giving up four runs – all earned – in the top of the ninth to fall to 1-1.
For the Panthers it would be the top of the order that did the damage, pounding out seven of the club's four hits and all six RBIs. That group would be led by a 2-for-5, four-RBI day by Ruth that included a double, homerun and pair of runs scored. He was joined by Bonner at 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and Mixon set the table with a 2-for-5 day that saw him cross home plate twice.
On the hill, junior pitcher Ethan Fry (Kennesaw, Ga.) threw the first 6.1 innings, allowing just three earned runs but it would be Ashton Shackleford (Ellerslie, Ga.) that would pick up the win as he tossed the last two innings, striking out three against two hits and a run. He improves to a perfect 4-0.
UP NEXT
LaGrange is right back in action tomorrow, Saturday, April 22 for the middle game of the series against Maryville. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.
