Baseball | 2/6/2011 5:14:37 PM

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Huntingdon took the early lead and Methodist tied the game at three, but the Hawks battled back for the 5-4 win.

The Hawks took advantage of three runs on four hits in the bottom of the first including a two-run home run. Methodist's Chris Perry came right back with a two-run home run of his own in the second inning to cut the lead to one. Brandon Thigpen led off the fourth with a single up the middle and advanced to second after Tyler Younger drew the walk. Matt Quick singled to load the bases and Perry ran into a double play, but Thigpen tied the game, scoring on the play.

Huntingdon regained the lead in the fifth taking advantage of two walks and two hit-by-pitches  before scoring what would be the game-winning run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly. The Monarchs tried to rally in the eighth when Thigpen reached on an error and scored on Perry's single, but the Hawks recorded the final out to get out of the inning. Methodist had one final chance in the ninth, but Huntingdon's Ryan Harrison came on to pitch and forced three straight groundouts to earn the save.

Perry finished 2-for-4 with three RBI while Michael Judge took the loss with five innings pitched scattering six hits with four strikeouts. Andrew Womble finished in relief.

The Monarchs will host their first home game of the season on Wednesday when they host Guilford at 4 p.m.

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