Baseball | 2/18/2012 9:33:00 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist baseball team had a 4-1 lead after five innings, but Lynchburg came from behind to knock off the Monarchs 7-4 in the final game of the Methodist Diamond Invitational.

The Hornets scored first after putting together two hits and capitalizing on a defensive error to lead 1-0 after one. The Methodist offense went hitless through the first three innings but got things moving in the fourth. Cody Molosky reached on a wild pitch and stole second. Brandon Thigpen followed up with his second home run in two days over the fence in right to give Methodist the 2-1 lead. Trey Such drew a walk and Tyler Younger laid down the bunt single before Chris Perry sacrificed both runners. Dustin Brown produced RBI single to score Such and David Lutz laid down a bunt that Lynchburg tried to get Younger at the plate, but Younger broke it up and scored.

Lynchburg (4-2) came back and tied the game in the sixth inning after three hits and another Methodist error. The game was still tied at four after eight innings when the Hornets jumped back on top in the ninth. Another three hits and an error later and the Monarchs trailed 7-4. Methodist looked to counter in the bottom of the ninth, but Lynchburg closer Michael Mansfield retired the side to secure the win for the Hornets.

Methodist finished with four hits with Thigpen, Such, Younger and Brown each notching one apiece.

Michael Inman pitched five and a third innings for the Monarchs scattering seven hits with seven strikeouts for one earned run. Josh Ayers took the loss in relief over three innings while Rusty White finished the final two thirds.

Methodist will be back in action on Wednesday when they host Maine Presque Isle at 4 p.m.

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