VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.  Methodist baseball scored seven runs in the final three innings to recover from an early 6-0 deficit but host Virginia Wesleyan earned a 10-7, eight-inning victory over the visiting Monarchs in non-conference action Wednesday afternoon.

After trailing by six runs following the third inning, the Methodist offense finally came to life with five runs in the sixth, but the Marlins matched the Monarchs with a four-run sixth inning. Matthias Carter shined, leading the team with two doubles, three RBIs, and two stolen bases. 

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Virginia Wesleyan def. Methodist, 10-7 (8 Inn.)
Records: Methodist 10-5, Virginia Wesleyan 4-7
Location: TowneBank Park; Virginia Beach, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After four hits and no runs through the first five innings, Methodist finally generated offense with a three-hit, five-run sixth inning. Rob Wilkerson had a lead-off double and two Virginia Wesleyan errors placed Clay Richardson and Christian Yarbrough on first base. 
• Good baserunning was the Monarchs' charm in the inning. Wilkerson stole third before scoring and Richardson stole both second and third base before scoring. Jordan Cassell hit an RBI-single and Will Dagenhart stole two bases pinch running for Cassell. Carter doubled to score Dagenhart and after stealing third, Carter scored on a RBI from Jacob Austin.
• Unfortunately for Methodist, Virginia Wesleyan countered right back with four hits and four runs in the bottom of the sixth to retake command the game with a 10-5 lead. Two singles and two doubles resulted in the five runs.
• The Marlins recorded a two-out, two-RBI homerun in the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead.Virginia Wesleyan added another three runs in the third, thanks to a solo homer and two Methodist errors.
• Carter returned with another RBI double in the eighth inning. He drove in two runs (Dagenhart and Yarbrough) before being left stranded at third with the score at 10-7.

STAT FACTS

• Jacob Austin also recorded two hits in this game.
• Yarbrough and Dagenhart led the team with two runs scored a piece.
• The nine stolen bases in this game was a season-high. Along with Carter, Dagenhart and Richardson also recorded two stolen bases.
• Alternatively, the five Methodist errors tied for a season-high for the Monarchs.
• The errors allowed the Marlins to capitalize on nearly every runner that made it to base. Virginia Wesleyan scored 10 runs while leaving just four men left on base in this game, compared to eight left stranded for Methodist.

UP NEXT
Methodist is home for a three-game non-conference series against Hanover (Ind.) College. The Monarchs will play two games at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 7 against the Panthers and will finish the series with a single game Sunday afternoon.