Baseball | 2/20/2009 11:03:24 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Methodist Monarchs jumped out to an early lead and cruised to the 17-0 win over Roanoke College.

Methodist sophomore Tripp Lancaster led off with the double deep in right field. The Monarchs strung together three other hits and capitalized on two defensive errors to take the 4-0 lead.  Methodist kept up the offensive pressure in the top of the second with six more runs on six hits.

Roanoke came up with three hits in the bottom of the second inning but hit into a double play with bases loaded for Methodist to get out of the jam. The Maroons held the Monarchs scoreless in the third and fourth innings, but Methodist sophomore Shawn Lovette started another rally in the fifth. Lovette scored on a sacrifice fly and freshman Trey Such hit a two-RBI double to give the Monarchs the 13-0 lead. Methodist scored four runs in the sixth inning to finish with the 17-0 win. 

Lancaster finished 5-for-6 with two RBI and three runs scored. Sophomore Brian Inghram hit 2-for-5 with four RBI.

Freshman Ryan Fasano picked up the shutout win in six innings pitched. Freshman Jeremy Wilkins finished the game in the seventh.

The Monarchs will take on Huntingdon and Frostburg on Saturday in Day 2 of the Methodist University Invitational.

Box Score