OZARK, Mo.— Panther baseball found themselves down three runs in the first inning and couldn't scratch back into the fight in their 11-2 loss against the Maryville Saints on opening weekend.
 
The Panthers fell to 0-2 while Maryville claimed their second win of the season to raise their record to 2-5.
 
Maryville started off hot with a three-run home run in the top of the first and never looked back en route to their win against the Panthers. The next two innings were quiet for both teams until Maryville hammered a ball to left center in the top of the fourth for their second three-run home run of the game.
 
Drury was able to push a run across in the fifth inning after Carson Shaver drove in Baylor Hinz following Hinz's one out triple. The Saints extended their lead to 8-1 in the top of the eighth inning with a two run single up the middle. In the bottom half of the inning, the Panthers scratched across one run to keep the game within six.
 
Maryville's bats continued to stay hot, scoring three in the next half inning to push their lead to 11-2 and put the game out of reach.
 
The Panthers lone bright spots on offense were senior Brant Schaffitzel and freshman Carson Shaver. Schaffitzel was 3 for 4 with a run while Shaver was 2 for 3 with a triple and a run batted in.
 
Maryville was led on offense by seniors Ben Hopkins and Alex Hoff. Hopkins went 2 for 5 with the first of the Saints' two homeruns while Hoff went 1 for 2 with the second homerun and three walks.
 
Hunter Becker (0-1) took the loss for the Panthers allowing six runs through four innings while striking out three.
 
Tanner Marshall (1-0) took the win for the Saints allowing one run through six innings and punching out 10 batters.
 
The Panthers are scheduled to travel to UMSL to take on the Tritons next weekend with the first game starting at 2 p.m.
 
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