Jackson, Tenn. – The Maryville University softball team offense came alive Friday afternoon as the Saints battled back from a two-run deficit to defeat Bethel University 5-2 in the opener at Fesmire Field in Jackson, Tenn. Maryville continued the offensive attack by pounding out 16 hits to defeat Lemoyne-Owen 21-0 in five innings to finish 3-1 on the weekend.
 
Game One:
Bethel grabbed a 2-0 lead after the first inning of play, but the Saints battled back starting in the fifth inning as Bri Livingston laced a single to left field to score Kelsey Martin from third to cut the Bethel lead to 2-1. Maryville tied the contest at 2-2in the sixth as Shaina Kmetz scored on a Martin groundout. The Saints took the lead in the seventh inning as Samantha Hausl drilled a double to left field to score Hannah Tolley to make the score 3-2. Maryville scored a pair of insurance runs as Bri Livingston nailed an RBI triple to left field field and then scored on a Kmetz sacrifice fly to give the Saints a 5-2 advantage. Katie Grunert earned her first win as a Saint by going six innings and giving up five hits.
 
Winning Pitcher: Grunert – 1-0
Save: Alyssa Callans - 1
Losing Pitcher: Casey Wade – 0-1
Hitting leader: Livingston – 2-for-4, 2 RBI's, and a triple
 
Game Two:
Maryville's offense broke the game open in the bottom of the first inning as the Saints sent 12 batters to plate to take an 8-0 lead. Martin paced the attack with a two-run single in her second at-bat of the inning. Maryville continued to offensive fireworks in the third inning as they plated seven more runs powered by three doubles in the inning, including a two-run double by Courtney Klosinski to push the lead to 15-0. Maryville added six runs in the fourth inning to extend their lead to 21-0. Sheridon Sprague tossed a two hitter to garner her first win of the season and added 10 strikeouts on the day.
 
 Winning Pitcher: Sprague – 1-1
Save: None
Losing Pitcher: Destiny Whitmore – 0-1
Hitting leaders: Callans – 3-for-3, 3 RBI's, 2 runs scored
                             Klosinski – 3-for-3, 3 2B's, 2 RBI's
                          Emily Frankenreiter - 1-for-3, HR (1), 4 RBI's, 2 runs scored
 
Records:
Maryville – 3-1
Bethel University – 0-1
Lemoyne-Owen – 0-1
 
Up Next - Maryville hits the road to Bentonville, Ark. for the UAM 8 State Classic that begins on Friday, Feb. 16, with the Saints opening up against Pittsburg State at 9 a.m.