Baseball | 3/10/2011 9:50:30 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Methodist took the early lead and never trailed as they went on to upend the nationally ranked Keystone Giants 9-1 Thursday night.

Methodist jumped on top early with a two-out rally in the first. Shawn Lovette drew the walk, stole second and scored on Brian Inghram's single through the right side. After advancing to third on a balk, Inghram scored on Trey Such's single.

The Giants came back with a run in the top of the second, but the Monarchs settled in and held Keystone scoreless for the remainder of the game.

In the fifth inning, Sergio Davis sparked two runs with a single and moved to second on the error. Davis advanced to third ion a wild pitch and scored on Lovette's groundout. Inghram followed up with a double and scored on Brandon Thigpen's single. Methodist kept things going with three runs in the sixth inning on one hit from Davis while capitalizing on two walks and an error.

The Monarchs tacked on two runs in the seventh to finish with the 9-1 win.

Thigpen led the team hitting 4-for-4 at the plate while Inghram and Davis added two hits a piece.

Michael Judge picked up his third win of the season pitching six innings scattering five hits with five strikeouts. Josh Ayers, Chris Perry and Rusty White finished in relief.

The Monarchs will be back in action on Saturday when they host Averett University at 7 p.m.

Box Score