Baseball | 3/21/2009 6:06:36 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Methodist took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth and held on until the N.C. Wesleyan Bishops regained the lead in the top of the eighth to win 5-4.

N.C. Wesleyan (13-11, 2-1) took the early lead in the first inning when Luke Williford singled, stole two bases and scored on a wild pitch. The Monarchs (16-6, 2-1) left two runners on in the first and one in the second before rallying in the third. Tripp Lancaster singled up the middle and stole second before scoring on Trey Such's single through the left side. Brian Halpin and Mike Twichell both followed up with singles for Such to score and give the Monarchs a 2-1 lead.

The Bishops tied the game on a home run in the top of the fourth and took the 3-2 lead after a walk and RBI single. Methodist fought back again when Philip Betterly led off the bottom of the inning with a single and Josh Perks drew a walk. Brian Goodwin laid down a bunt to load the bases and Shawn Lovette scored Betterly on a sacrifice fly. Lancaster's fielder's choice scored Perks for the 4-3 lead.

The Monarchs loaded the bases again in the sixth but N.C. Wesleyan got out of the inning. The Bishops took advantage of two Methodist defensive errors in the top of the eighth and scored two runs on a Williford single to regain the 5-4 lead. Goodwin led off the bottom of the eighth with a single but was left stranded and Such led off the ninth with a double, but the Monarchs could not get the tying run leaving the Bishops with the 5-4 win.

Goodwin finished 3-for-4 on the day while Lovette and Halpin hit 2-for-4.

Ryan Fasano pitched the first six innings scattering seven hits with five strikeouts. Landon Jordan finished on the mound with giving up three hits and striking out five.

Ben Franceschi earned the win in relief for N.C. Wesleyan while John Child picked up his fourth save of the season.

The Monarchs and Bishops will play game two of the USA South series Sunday at 2 pm.

Box Score