MARSHALL, Texas — Not able to find the big hits when needed in the Saturday double header with Maryville University (TN), no. 24 East Texas Baptist University dropped the series to the Scots, 3-1, and 14-6. ETBU left 18 runners on base combined in both games but produced 20 hits. ETBU is now 16-10 on the season.
Game 1
Maryville (TN) 3, ETBU 1
Maryville scored three unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning to come away with the win as ETBU had two errors in the inning, 3-1. It was a scoreless game until the bottom of the sixth inning when ETBU scored the first run for a 1-0 lead. Just three outs away from a shut out win, ETBU had two errors for three unearned runs as they fell, 3-1.
Connor Massimini had the lone RBI as the team managed eight hits and four stolen bases.
Kahne Nolen scored one run, recorded a double, and drew a walk.
Joaquin Costa contributed two hits and a stolen base and
Carter Nannini drove in one run, tallied two hits, and stole two bases.
Jobee Boone also added two hits.
Isaac Thornton delivered a complete game performance, pitching 7 innings without allowing an earned run. He allowing 5 hits, and issued 3 walks while striking out 5.
The first five innings were a deadlock but ETBU had a chance to score in the fourth with two runners on and no outs. A sac bunt and then a fielder's choice at home as ETBU chose to run became the second out of the inning.
Justin Flannery then flew out to end the inning as it remained scoreless. In the bottom of the sixth, Nolen doubled to left center and later scored on a single by Nannini, putting ETBU ahead 1-0 through six innings.
Maryville responded in the seventh inning. Colin Dunworth singled, stole second, and then scored on a fielding error. Two more unearned runs crossed the plate on a single to centerfield that was then misplayed, bringing in two runs for the 3-1 lead.
ETBU was unable to close the gap in the seventh, leaving two runners in scoring position. With two outs, and runners on second and third, the game ended on a strikeout as Maryville held onto the win.
ETBU Top Performers
Joaquin Costa
- 2 hits
- 1 stolen base
- 4 assists
Kahne Nolen
- 1 run
- 1 double
- 1 walk
Carter Nannini
- 1 RBI
- 2 hits
- 2 stolen bases
Isaac Thornton
- 7 innings pitched
- 0 earned runs
- 5 strikeouts
Game 2
Maryville (TN) 14, ETBU 6
After taking a 3-1 lead after two innings, ETBU gave up 11 runs over the next two innings as they fell to the Scots, 14-6. ETBU recorded 12 hits, including two home runs, but left nine runners on base.
Massimini had a home run and drove in one run as
Joaquin Costa contributed two hits, including a double, while also scoring twice.
Colby Wilson collected three hits and scored two runs.
Juan Ortigoza added a home run and two RBIs. Nannini had two hits as Flannery recorded two RBI. Livesay also had a RBI.
Cody Myers started for ETBU, pitching 3 innings and allowing 5 earned runs on 7 hits while striking out 3 batters.
Jake Schumacher faced five batters without recording an out, surrendering 3 earned runs on 4 hits.
Carter May followed giving up two earned runs on two hits.
Brayden Hodge provided a strong relief performance with 3 innings, allowing just 1 hit and 1 earned run.
Declan Conry had one inning of work with no hits or runs as
Harris Woodside worked an inning with one earned run.
Campbell Williams closed the game with a perfect inning, retiring all three batters faced on just six pitches.
Massimini homered to left field in the first inning to level the score after Maryville scored on an RBI single to start the game. In the second inning, Costa singled and advanced to third on a hit by Wilson. Flannery brought Costa home with a sacrifice fly, and Wilson scored on Livesay's RBI single for a 3-1 lead.
Maryville responded in the third inning with a four-run burst and added seven runs in the fourth for a nine-run lead, 12-3.
The Tigers rallied in the sixth inning as Costa doubled and scored on Flannery's sacrifice fly. Ortigoza hit a two-run homer, bringing in Wilson to cut the lead to seven, 13-6. Maryville added one more run in the eighth to make I 14-6 and held onto the win over the final two innings.
ETBU will travel to face Hendrix College on Tuesday, March 31 at 4 p.m. in Conway, Ark.
ETBU Top Performers
Connor Massimini
- 1 home run
- 1 RBI
- 1.250 OPS
Colby Wilson
- 2 runs
- 3 hits
- 1.500 OPS
Joaquin Costa
- 2 runs
- 1 double
- 4 assists
Juan Ortigoza
- 1 home run
- 2 RBIs
- 1.250 OPS
