Jackson, Tenn. – The Maryville University baseball team opened the 2019 season on the losing end a of a pair of game against Union University Saturday afternoon. The Saints dropped the opener 7-4, and then saw the Bulldogs score three runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk off with a 4-3 victory at Neely Field in Jackson, Tenn.
Game One:
The Bulldogs grabbed the lead early as they took a 3-0 lead after two innings of play. The Saints finally cracked the scoreboard in the top of the fifth as
Daniel Covert was hit by a pitch and moved over to second on an infield groundout.
Cole Bornhop pushed covert across to score on a single to right field as Maryville cut the Union lead to 3-1. The Bulldogs extended the lead with three runs in the fifth and a run in the seventh to take a 7-1 advantage. Maryville cut into the lead in the eighth as
Cody Klotz doubled and scored on a
Louis Niemerg single to put the score at 7-2. After Covert reached base on a fielder's choice and stole second, he scored on a throwing error to cut the Bulldog lead to 7-3. The Saints scored a run in the ninth and had a pair of runners on, but the Bulldogs forced a strikeout and a pop out to end the game.
Winning Pitcher: Logan Portis (1-0)
Save: None
Losing Pitcher:Niemerg (0-1)
Hitting leader: Bornhop – 3-for-4, RBI
Klotz – 2-for-5, 2 2B's (2), run scored
Game Two:
The Bulldogs broke out to an early 1-0 lead after two innings of play, but the Saints offense finally got things going in the top of the fifth. Bornhop started the frame with a single and moved to third on a groundout and a pass ball. After a pair of free passes, Covert drilled a double into the left field corner to drive in all three runs to give Maryville a 3-1 lead. The score stayed that until the Bulldogs scored three times in the bottom of the ninth inning to earn the walk off victory.
Winning Pitcher: Spencer Woods (1-0)
Save: None
Losing Pitcher: Tanner Marshall (1-0)
Hitting leaders: Niemerg – 2-for-3, 2B (1), run scored
Covert – 1-for-4, 2B (1), 3 RBI
Records:
Maryville – 0-2
Union– 4-2
Up Next: Tomorrow's game with Union has been canceled due to possible weather issues in Jackson, Tenn. The Saints return to the diamond Sat. Feb. 16 as they will play a three-game set against future GLVC league opponent Southwest Baptist. The first game of the series is slated for 11 a.m.