FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist baseball team defeated Christopher Newport 4-1 to pick up its fourth straight win on Sunday afternoon.
 
With the win, the Monarchs are now 5-1 on the season and finish 3-0 in the Armstrong/Diamond invitational, while the Captains drop to 4-2 overall.
 
CNU scored in the opening frame as it loaded the bases with two outs and plated a run on a wild pitch, 1-0. In the second inning, the Monarchs tied the game as Jacob Austin reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second after Parker Clayton drew a walk. Matthias Carter hit a grounder to third who attempted to get the final force out at second, but his throw was off the mark and allowed Austin to score, 1-1.
 
Methodist assumed the lead in the third inning as Will May laid down a bunt and beat the throw before moving to second on a fielder's choice. The next batter, Cass, laced a double down the left field line to score May, 2-1.
 
With two outs and a runner on first, the Captains posted their first hit of the game on a ground ball to second that clipped the leg of the runner on first, but was not seen by the umpires. The play put runners on the corners, but pitcher Tristen Luck was able to get out of the inning, stranding both runners.
 
Tucker Criswell started the bottom of the fifth by reaching on a fielding error and advanced to second after Cass drew a walk. Austin put down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position an Criswell scored on a wild pitch two batters later to increase the lead to 3-1. In the sixth, the Monarchs added one more tally as Alex Kachler lined a one-out double down the left field line to get into scoring position. May followed with a ground ball right up the middle that was grabbed by the shortstop, but a poor throw to first allowed Kachler to score, 4-1.
 
Luck (2-0) tossed 4.0 innings in relief and allowed no runs on just two hits. Hunter Barnes started the game on the hill but walked three batters in 2.0 innings and gave up one run. Sam Berman pitched 2.0 scoreless innings, but gave way to Kevin Williams who finished the ninth inning and picked up a save.
 
Ryan Powell was saddled with the loss after 3.0 innings of work and yielding two runs on four hits with four walks and one strikeout.
 
Cass was 3 for 4 at the plate with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Ethan Carmack finished 3 for 3 and also drew a walk and stole a base.
 
Methodist returns to action on Tuesday, February 20, against Washington and Lee at Armstrong-Shelley Field with first pitch scheduled for 4 pm