FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist baseball started USA South Athletic Conference play with a bang as the Monarchs walk it off by beating William Peace University 11-10, in extra innings, on Friday afternoon at Armstrong-Shelley Field.
The hero of the game was senior
Jacob Austin. With an 1-0 count, Austin took the next pitch yard for a 2-run homerun over the left field wall.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Methodist def. William Peace, 11-10 (12 innings)
Records: Methodist 11-5 (1-0 USA South); William Peace 10-8 (0-1)
Location: Armstrong-Shelley Field; Fayetteville, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Pacers struck first with a run in the top of the second before Gavin Wheeler hit a double in the gap of left and center to drive in two runners, in the bottom half. William Peace would tie at 2-2 after a sacrifice fly during their at-bats in the third.
- Austin was not the only Monarch to hit a dinger, as Spencer Nelson, in the third, connected for a solo shot to put Methodist back out in front. The Monarchs would take a 7-2 lead in the fourth when they tacked on four more runs.
- Despite being down, this did not deter the Pacers from trying to comeback. Once they scored a few runs in the seventh & eighth, they found themselves only down 7-5 heading into the ninth.
- William Peace was down to their final out when they managed to plate three runners to take an 8-7 advantage. In the bottom of the ninth, Wesley Hall kept the Monarchs alive with an RBI sacrifice fly.
- Each side added one run in the 10th before coming to the 12th. The Pacers were successful in getting a run for an 10-9 lead. Teammate Charles Jordan was able to reach base, via walk, to give Austin an opportunity to come to the plate and send the Monarchs off to victory.
STAT FACTS
- Last season both Wheeler and Austin Skipper were members of the William Peace baseball team. As graduate transfers, the two of them had solid success against their former institution (Wheeler: 2-4, 2 2Bs, 2 RBIs; Skipper: 8 inns, 5 runs (3 ER), 6 Ks).
- Austin and Hall co-led the team in hits (3) and RBIs (3).
- This was Methodist's second 12 inning game in just four games.
- Getting his first collegiate win of his career was freshman Andrew Baur.
UP NEXT
The Monarchs and the Pacers will face each other again on Saturday for another USA South contest at 1 p.m.