FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Methodist baseball team was defeated by No. 3 LaGrange, 11-1, at Armstrong-Shelley Field on Sunday afternoon.
With the loss, the Monarchs drop to 14-18 on the year with a 6-9 mark in USA South action. Meanwhile, the Panthers improve to 29-3 overall behind a 14-1 record in conference play.
Methodist was first on the board in the home half of the third inning after
Brennen Brown laced a one-out double to left-center field.
Lucas Scott followed with an RBI single through the right side to give MU a 1-0 lead. In the top of the fourth, the Panthers put two runners on with two outs before Blane Swift belted his fifth home run of the season to give LC a 3-1 lead.
LaGrange added another run in the fifth inning on a deep popup to second base before adding five runs in the seventh frame on five hits and an error to take a 9-1 lead. The visitors tallied another run in the eighth before one last run in the ninth on a solo home run by Blake Butcher, 11-1.
Tyler Hardee started on the mound for the Monarchs and allowed seven runs (4 ER) on seven hits. Hardee recorded four strikeouts and one walk. Richie Post garnered his third win of the year after tossing 6.0 innings on the hill. He allowed one run on six hits and struck out seven batters. The Panther bullpen threw 3.0 scoreless innings and scattered two hits.
Lucas Scott and
Pete Wildeboer each collected two hits at the plate on Sunday, while Scott registered an RBI.
Tucker Criswell,
Davis Cass and
Will May also recorded a hit in the loss. For the Panthers, Swift and Kyle Gutowski each tallied three hits. Swift finished the day with five RBI and a run scored, while Tavin Thompson registered two RBI.
Methodist returns to action on Wednesday, April 5, against No. 12 Randolph-Macon at Armstrong-Shelley Field with first pitch scheduled for 6 pm.
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