FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against No. 3 LaGrange on Senior Day at Armstrong-Shelley Field on Saturday. The Monarchs fell in game one 6-3 before dropping the second contest 8-5.
 
With the results, MU is now 14-16 overall with a 6-8 mark in league play. Meanwhile, the Panthers move to 28-3 on the year with a 13-1 record in the USA South.
 
In game one, the Panthers got on the board first after a lead-off single in the opening inning by Tavin Thompson. He eventually moved to third before scoring on a ground ball to second base, 1-0. LaGrange added another run in the fourth after a lead-off double by Blane Swift who scored on a sacrifice bunt, 2-0. In the following inning, LC manufactured three runs on three hits to bring the lead to 5-0.
 
The Monarchs plated two runs in the home half of the fifth. Alex Kachler lined a one-out double to right field before coming around to score on a two-out, RBI double by Davis Cass. During the following at bat, Kevin Williams reached base on a throwing error by the second baseman that allowed Cass to score from second, 5-2. The Panthers added another run in the sixth to claim a 6-1 lead. In the bottom of the eighth frame, the Monarchs cut the lead again. With runners on first and second, Brennen Brown laid down a sacrifice bunt, but reached base on an errant throw by the catcher, which allowed Seth Patrick to score from second, 6-3.
 
Greg Johnson was charged with the loss after tossing 5.0 innings and allowing five runs (4 ER) on six hits with two walks and a strikeout. Thomas Dean pitched the remaining 4.0 innings and yielded one run on three hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Ryan Broaderick recorded his league-leading sixth win of the year after 7.0 innings of work on the mount. He surrendered two runs (1 ER) on three hits with eight strikeouts. Jonathan Fleckenstein tossed the last 2.0 innings and gave up one unearned run on a hit with two strikeouts.
 
The Monarchs combined for four hits in the opening game of the day. Carter, Cass, Hardee and Kachler each recorded a base hit.
 
In game two, the Monarchs struck first in the opening frame. Carter led off with a single before coming around to score on a two-base error on the catcher, 1-0. Lucas Scott followed with an RBI single to the right side to score Brennan Brown who reached on the error, 2-0. The lead held until the third inning when the Panthers tallied five runs on four hits, including a three-run home run to left field, to take a 5-2 lead. LC scored two more in the fourth frame before plating another in the sixth to take an 8-2 lead.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, MU rallied to score three runs on three hits. Elliot Manley drew a walk to lead off the inning and moved to second on a single by Carter. Brown drew a walk to load the bases before Scott singled to score Manley. Tucker Criswell followed up with a single to left, which scored Carter. Brown would score on a double play before the inning ended on a strikeout, 8-5.
 
Nick Norton went 5.0 innings and allowed seven runs (5 ER) on six hits with six strikeouts in four walks in the loss. Sam Berman and Matt Rogers combined to pitch the final 4.0 innings and allowed one run on four hits. Andrew Weekley received his sixth win of the season after pitching 6.0 innings and yielding two unearned runs. He scattered five hits and struck out four batters.
 
 Scott went 3 for 5 at the plate on his Senior Day with two RBI. Carter and Hardee each collected two hits in game two, while Carter scored two runs.
 
Methodist returns to action tomorrow against LaGrange at Armstrong-Shelley Field with first pitch scheduled for 1 pm.
 
 
 
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