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BBvAU-1 210321 Ritter
5
Averett AU 2-9
11
Winner Methodist University MUBB 7-9
Averett AU
2-9
5
Final
11
Methodist University MUBB
7-9
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Averett AU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 5 7 1
Methodist University MUBB 0 2 1 0 0 2 2 4 X 11 9 1

W: Walker, Will (2-3) L: T. Nuckols (0-2)

5
Winner Averett AU 3-9
3
Methodist University MUBB 7-10
Winner
Averett AU
3-9
5
Final
3
Methodist University MUBB
7-10
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Averett AU 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 7 0
Methodist University MUBB 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 9 3

W: T. Bradshaw (1-0) L: Hill, Ryan (1-2)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Ja'Shawn Steward-Johnson

Let Me See You Walk

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist baseball showed off its plate discipline in the USA South Athletic Conference doubleheader against visiting Averett University, recording a season-high 14 walks in the first game to win 11-5. The Cougars won the second game, 5-3, but the Monarchs almost pulled off the rally in large part to drawing walks Sunday afternoon.

14 walks are tied for the most since the 2015 season. Ryan Hill, Christian Yarbrough, and Hunter Hollman (the 5-6-7 hitters) each drew a team-high three walks. The 14 walks combined with nine hits, including three hits and two doubles from Zachary Ritter led to the rout.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Averett, 11-5; Averett def. Methodist, 5-3
Records: Methodist 7-10 (1-2 USA South); Averett 3-9 (2-1)
Location: Armstrong-Shelley Field; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Walks were the basis for the victory in Game 1. Five of the 11 runs that Methodist scored stemmed from the runner reaching base on balls. Add in a Yarbrough walk that drove in another run and that is six runs related to walks, the difference in the 11-5 game.
  • The Monarchs did not do it all with their eyes. Their bats helped too. Jacob Austin had a two-RBI single up the middle in the sixth, Ritter had two separate RBI-doubles, and Hollman had a bases-clearing RBI double in the eighth.
  • Hollman's double to right field in the eighth scored Rob Wilkerson, Hill, and Yarbrough. Hill and Yarbrough both reached on walks and Yarbrough's walk scored Jordan Cassell. Those four runs were the answer for the four runs that the Cougars scored in the top of the eighth. Averett had converted four hits and a walk into four runs, which gave the Monarchs quite a scare since it cut a comfortable 7-1 lead to 7-5 late.
  • Methodist nearly staged a comeback in the second game, thanks to bases on balls. Trailing 3-1 in the seventh, three consecutive walks (Hollman, Ritter, and Casey Nichols) gave the Monarchs a bases-loaded opportunity to only one out but the Monarchs could not capitalize.
  • In the bottom of the eighth, two infield errors by the Cougars, plus a -- you guessed it -- walk provided Methodist with yet another bases-loaded situation. Hollman singled to bring Rob Wilkerson home and Anthony Favor got credited with the hit and the RBI that scored Hill to tie the game at 3-3.
  • Tanner Bradshaw helped Averett avoid extra innings with his double down the left-field line to lead off the top of the ninth. A sacrifice bunt moved him to third and he scored on a single before the Cougars added another run for a two-score lead.
  • The difference in Game 2 was the three unearned runs that Averett scored in the first run. Two infield errors stretched the inning long enough for Bradshaw to deliver a two-RBI single.
GAME NOTES
  • Ritter led the Monarchs at the plate in Game 1. He had a team-high three hits, two doubles, and two runs scored, plus two RBIs, two walks, and a steal. Austin had two hits in each game.
  • The starting pitching was solid on Sunday for Methodist. Will Walker got the win after going eight innings, seven of which were scoreless. Nathan Cockman started Game 2 and surrendered just four hits in seven innings (pitched six scoreless) and the three runs allowed were all unearned for him.
  • Between both games, Methodist left 18 runners stranded, compared to nine for Averett.
  • Bradshaw is the hero of both of the Cougars' wins this weekend. He hit the grand slam on Saturday and his two hits and two RBIs led Averett in the second game Sunday.
UP NEXT
  • The Monarchs are back in action on Saturday, March 27 when they take a trip to Rocky Mount, N.C. for a conference doubleheader against North Carolina Wesleyan College. First pitch is 4 p.m.
  • Averett takes a midweek trip to Salem, Va. on Tuesday, March 23 for a single game against Roanoke College in non-conference action.
    
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