FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist baseball team rallied to score four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to force extra innings before falling to N.C. Wesleyan, 8-7, in 11 innings at Armstrong-Shelley Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
With the loss, the Monarchs drop to 13-14 on the season with a 5-6 mark in league play. Meanwhile, the Battling Bishops improve to 19-11 overall behind a 10-4 conference record.
 
Prior to the game, the Methodist baseball team held a Law Enforcement Appreciation ceremony honoring local area law enforcement personal. Members of seven agencies threw out an honorary first pitch.
 
MU rallied for four runs in the ninth inning after Will May was hit by the first pitch of the frame. Tyler Hardee followed with a single that went off the pitcher's mound, which moved May to second. Clay Richardson drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases before Matthias Carter grounded a single through the left side of the infield to score May, 6-3. Lucas Scott reached base after a throw over to first base was off the mark and scored Hardee to bring the deficit down to two runs. Tucker Criswell grounded into a fielder's choice at the third baseman who attempted to complete a double play, but his throw got away from the first baseman, which allowed two runs to score and Criswell to advance around to third base to tie the game. Criswell would be stranded at third, ending the inning.
 
In the 10th inning, Cedrick Kornegay earned a walk and eventually moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and a groundout to the first baseman. Kornegay crossed home plate after a wild pitch to give the Bishops a 7-6 lead. In the home half of the frame, Pete Wildeboer and May each drew a walk and were moved into scoring position by a sacrifice bunt. Richardson was walked intentionally to load the bases with one out before Wildeboer came around to score on a wild pitch to tie the game, 7-7. Carter was also walked intentionally to load the bases before NCWC was able to retire the next two batters.
 
The Battling Bishops loaded the bases after a four pitch walk with two outs before Kornegay recorded a base hit deep into the infield that allowed a runner to score and give NCWC an 8-7 which held to the end.
 
The Monarchs recorded the first run of the game in the first inning after Carter led off with a single up the middle and eventually came around to score on an infield single by Scott, 1-0. The Bishops tied the contest in the third inning after Kornegay hit a lead-off double to center field and scored on a ground out by Luis Palencia, 1-1. The Green and Gold picked up a run in the fourth frame when Brennen Brown hit a ball that was misplayed by the second baseman, which allowed Richardson to score from second, 2-1.
 
In the top of the fifth inning, the Bishops responded with three runs on three hits and took advantage of a throwing error to take a 4-2 lead. N.C. Wesleyan added a pair of runs in the seventh frame, including one on a bases-loaded walk, to take a 6-2 lead.
 
Hunter Barnes was strapped with the loss after throwing 3.0 innings of relief. He did not allow a hit, but yielded two runs on four walks. Nick Norton started on the mound and surrendered four runs (3 ER) on eight hits in 6.0 innings.
 
Joseph Borgerding received the win after pitching 2.0 innings. He allowed one run, but no hits, and walked four with two strikeouts. Noah Shrock came on in the 11th inning and struck out two batters to pick up his first save of the season. T.J. Wilkie pitched 8.0 innings, allowing two runs (1 ER), seven hits, five walks and struck out two in the start.
 
Carter finished 3 for 4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored. He also drew two walks on the day. Hardee was 2 for 3 and scored a run, while Richardson also drew two walks and crossed home plate twice.
 
Methodist closes out its weekend series with N.C. Wesleyan tomorrow, March 26, at Armstrong-Shelley Field with first pitch scheduled for 2 pm.
 
 
 
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