RALEIGH, N.C. — Nick Norton pitched seven strong innings to lead the Methodist baseball team to a 9-2 win at William Peace on Saturday afternoon. 

Norton improved to 3-1 on the season by allowing two runs on four hits and a pair of walks with five strikeouts in 7.0 innings. Sam Berman pitched the final two innings and struck out three while allowing just one hit. 

The Monarchs (12-11, 4-4 USA South) jumped William Peace (12-14, 3-5) starter Cameron High, striking for four runs in the first inning. Brennen Brown reached on a fielder's choice with one out and Lucas Scott followed with a walk. Tucker Criswell drove in Brown with a single to right for the game's first run.

With two outs, Pete Wildeboer walked to load the bases and an Alex Kachler single plated two for a 3-0 lead. Will May capped the first-inning scoring with a single to short that allowed Wildeboer to score. 

The Pacers halved their deficit in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run single to left off the bat of Mikey Anerton.

After the first inning, Norton allowed just one hit, a fourth-inning single by Anerton, to keep WPU in check. The Methodist offense added three runs in the fifth inning, including a two-run long ball by May, to extend its lead to 7-2. A William Peace error and a wild pitch accounted for MU's final two runs in the ninth inning.

High took the loss (2-3)for the Pacers. He lasted just 0.2 innings and was charged with four runs on four hits and two walks with one strikeout. Jayce Stephenson, come on in relief and was tagged for three runs (2 ER) on five hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 3.2 innings.

Kachler and May each finished with a pair of base hits, three RBI and one run. Davis Cass and Wildeboer each scored twice, and Mathias Carter was 2 for 6 with a stolen base.

Anerton led the Pacers with two hits in three at bats and he accounted for both WPU RBI. 

The teams will play the series' rubber match on Sunday beginning at 3:00 pm.

 

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