Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director
Photo Credit: Tori Brayman '22
MARYVILLE, Tenn. - The Brevard College Tornados Softball team (8-15, 2-2 USAS) dropped a USA South Conference doubleheader to the defending USA South tournament champion Maryville Scots (10-6, 2-0 USAS) on Wednesday afternoon in Maryville, Tennessee.
The Scots used a couple of big innings in the first contest to earn an 8-0 victory via run rule in five innings before using a five-run fifth inning in game two to come back on the Tornados, claiming a 5-3 triumph.
GAME ONE
Micayla McCoy (5-7) earned the start in both games of Wednesday's doubleheader. The junior transfer from Sylva, N.C. pitcher 3.1 innings in the first contest, allowing four earned runs on six hits while striking out two batters.
The Scots used early offense in addition to a dominant pitching performance from Katlyn Smith (6-2) to propel itself to victory in the first game.
Maryville used a walk and a wild pitch in the first inning to place a runner in scoring position with one out. Then, Taylor Campbell launched a deep fly to left center field, putting the Scots on top, 2-0.
Maryville tacked on another run to McCoy's ledger with a double, single, and a sacrifice line out made the game 3-0 in favor of the home side.
The Tornados were able to get baserunners on via walks but went hitless against Smith until Mari Cook singled with one out in the top of the fourth inning. BC threatened in that half inning with two runners on, but a strikeout followed by a groundout ended the threat.
Maryville was able to break the game open in the bottom of the fourth, striking for four runs on two hits. The Scots capitalized on three critical BC fielding errors in the inning to extend its lead to a commanding 7-0.
After a hitless top of the fifth for the Tornados, Maryville walked off in run-rule fashion, 8-0, in the home half of the inning when Morgan Brewer reached on a fielder's choice, scoring the pinch-runner Grade Gordon.
The Tornados only mustered three total baserunners in the contest off of a hit, a wall, and an error. BC's Cook and Summer Wilson collected stolen bases on a successful double steal attempt.
GAME TWO
McCoy once again got the start in the circle for the Tornados, going the distance in the second game. She pitched six innings of seven-hit, five-run ball, with all of the damage coming in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Tornados offense saw a massive improvement in the second contest, scoring three runs on 11 hits. Cook and Lauren Dowell each collected two hits, while Dowell and McCoy each came across to score. Cook and Emily White each tallied RBI's for the BC offense.
Maryville's Casey Jolliff got the start, going 4.2 innings and allowing two runs on eight hits. Smith (7-2) came into the contest to collect her seventh win of the season, holding the Tornados at bay with three hits and an earned run.
BC's defense was improved in the second game as well, committing just one error compared to the first game's three.
The Tornados kicked off the scoring in the top of the third when Emily White hit an RBI single to left center field, scoring Dowell. McCoy came across to score after a fielding error, giving the Tornados an early 2-0 advantage.
McCoy cruised through the next two innings scoreless before a fateful fifth inning arrived. With two outs and two baserunners on, the Scots put together an impressive rally, tallying five runs on five hits. Campbell hit her second home run of the day against BC, changing the complexion of the contest as her three-run homer to left field broke a 2-2 tie, giving the Maryville Scots a go-ahead, 5-2 lead.
The Tornados did not give up, however, as they put together a late rally of their own by scoring a run in the top of the seventh inning. However, it proved too little too late as Smith forced White to fly out to center to end the contest in favor of the Scots, 5-3.
Brevard looks ahead to another USA South road series this weekend, as the Tornados head to Decatur, Ga. for a conference bout against the Agnes Scott Scotties (2-16, 0-2 USAS) on Saturday, March 23 at 1 and 3 p.m.
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