SALEM, Va. – What's better than a win on Opening Day? TWO wins on Opening Day!
 
That's just what the Maryville baseball team did Saturday afternoon, winning both ends of its season-opening doubleheader against Roanoke at Salem Memorial Stadium in Salem, Virginia.
 
The Scots took Game 1 in a big way, outscoring the Maroons 13-5 before sneaking away with another victory in the nightcap, 5-4.
 
"Our offense showed a great deal of poise in both games," Maryville head coach Clint Helton said. "Hitters kept fighting through at-bats and got us some big innings in Game 1"
 
Offensive Explosion in Game 1
Maryville struggled to get the bats going early in Game 1, picking up just two hits in the first five innings before exploding for 10 runs on 10 hits across the sixth and seventh.
 
Starting pitcher Mitchell Grannan kept the Scots in the game early, allowing just two runs (both unearned) on two hits and two walks while striking out four batters.


 
The Scots trailed 2-0 after a two-run error put the Maroons ahead in the bottom of the fourth, but soon found themselves ahead after a three-run sixth inning.
 
Max Bowers started the engine of the offensive train for Maryville, leading off with a hit-by-pitch before coming all the way around to score from first on a Christian Carlton double. Carlton advanced to third on a single from catcher Ashton Whitaker, who then stole second base. Jimmy Meredith drove both runners in with a single up the middle to put the Scots ahead 3-2.
 
Carlton finished the game with a team-high three hits, including two doubles while coming around to score a team-high three runs.


 
MC extended its lead in the seventh inning, scoring seven runs on seven hits. Jacob Johnston and Whiteaker each recorded an extra-base hit, combining for three RBIs in the inning. Johnston led off the inning with a triple, while Whiteaker picked up an RBI double. The Scots batted around in the inning, allowing Johnston to record another hit, giving him two knocks in the same inning.
 
Austin Suttle and Grady Cash pitched out of the bullpen in Game 1, combining to throw four innings of three-run ball while striking out five batters.
 
Resto Strong in Game 2
Xavier Resto pitched 3 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball out of the bullpen in Game 2 of the doubleheader. The Sophomore entered a tie ball game and allowed just two hits while striking out five batters. Resto earned the win for Maryville in the contest.


 
Maryville and Roanoke battled back and forth in Game 2 of the twin bill. The game was deadlocked at 3-3 heading into the top of the eighth inning.
 
After Zac Graham found his way on base after a strike three wild pitch, Carter Crow entered the game as a pinch runner and promptly put himself into scoring position with a swipe of second base. Crow advanced to third base on a ground out and Jimmy Meredith walked to put two on for Colin Dunworth, who roped a two-RBI double to left-center to put the Scots ahead 5-3 heading into the bottom of the inning.
 
Roanoke scored one in the bottom of the ninth, but Chris Arbuthnot was able to slam the door, picking up his first save of the season, giving up two hits in 1 2/3 innings of one-run ball.
 
Nic Mirabella got the nod for MC in Game 2, allowing three runs on seven hits in four innings of work. He struck out five Maroons in the contest.


 
"Pitchers were great on both sides in Game 2," Coach Helton said. "It was a back-and-forth game throughout."
 
"We got a couple of great team wins today. I am really proud of our competitiveness and effort on both sides of the ball."
 
Maryville has a week off before heading to Atlanta on Saturday where it will compete in the Oglethorpe Invitational. The Scots face off against a familiar foe in Roanoke in Game 1 of the tournament. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.