FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Monarch baseball split its doubleheader against visiting Neumann University in the first day of the 2019 Diamond Invitational at Armstrong-Shelley Field. The Knights won the first game 5-4 and in a mirror image, the Monarchs took the nightcap 5-4.

In the first game, the Monarchs fell short in the ninth inning, needing two runs to tie but only coming away with one. The Knights fell short at the top of the ninth in the nightcap, with their three-run rally being too little, too late.

Ethan Carmack showcased his power at the plate, blasting a homerun to right field in each of Saturday's games. His solo-shot, homer in Game 1 cut the deficit from to 5-4 in the ninth inning and his two-RBI homer in Game 2 gave the Monarchs a commanding 5-0 lead in the fourth inning.

JUST THE FACT
Final scores: Neumann def. Methodist 5-4, Methodist def. Neumann 5-4
Records: Methodist 3-1, Neumann 1-1
Location: Armstrong-Shelley Field; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Ricky Cameron entered the ninth inning of Game 2 with a tough save opportunity. Holding a slim 5-4 lead and a runner at first with two outs, Cameron went up against Zach Ray in a battle between pitcher and batter. Ray had went three-of-four, including two doubles with two RBIs in the first game. It took over ten pitches to finally strike out Ray as he worked a full count, including fouling off six balls.
• Three hits in the ninth, including a two-RBI single by Danny Padilla almost led to the Knights' completing the comeback.
• The blast by Carmack proved to be the difference as the Monarchs were held scoreless in the final four innings.
• Two errors by Neumann in the second allowed Methodist to jump out to an early 2-0 lead.
• In Game 1, Ethan Carmack led-off the bottom of the ninth inning with a homerun to right field to make it a one-run game. With the Monarchs needing one run to tie and having no outs, the Knights' John Schoelkopf switched from third base to pitcher and salvaged three outs for the save.
• Down 5-0 in the seventh inning, Methodist officially commenced its comeback attempt with a two-out, bases clearing double by Alex Kachler. The ball was hit to right center and hit the wall in front of the right fielder.
• Neumann recorded the final out in dramatic fashion as the Falcons' shortstop made the acrobatic play and throw that just barely beat Clay Richardson to first base.
• Game 1 was scoreless for the first three innings before Neumann University put two runs across home plate in the fourth inning. The Falcons added another three runs in the fifth inning, thanks largely to a two-RBI single by Ray.

STAT FACTS

• Carmack now has three homeruns in four games this season. He had four homeruns in 36 games last year.
• Tyler Brown was phenomenal in Game 2, pitching six innings without giving up an earned run. He had four strikeouts with only three hits and two walks given up.
• The Monarchs' starting pitcher of Game 1, Seth Beard had seven strikeouts with five hits allowed in five innings of work. Will Walker pitched the other four innings, giving up no runs or walks with just two hits allowed.
• Kachler led the Monarchs with two hits a piece in each game.
• Tucker Criswell and Jacob Austin each had two hits in the nightcap and Carmack had two hits in the first game.
• Surprisingly, Neumann managed to pull off the Game 1 win with only three players registering a hit. Ray had three hits, John Lindeborn and Curt Yenchik had two hits each. Ray and Lindeborn each had two doubles in Game 1.

UP NEXT
The Diamond Invitational continues tomorrow at Armstrong-Shelley Field with Neumann University playing Bridgewater (Va,) College at 12 p.m., and the Monarchs taking the field against Bridgewater at 3:30 p.m.