FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. The Methodist baseball team earned its third victory in a row to start the season on Saturday, taking down the Falcons of Messiah University. The Monarchs won 12-2 in less than eight full innings due to a 10-run rule.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Messiah, 12-2
Records: Methodist 3-0, Messiah 1-1
Location: Armstrong-Shelley Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Andrew Baur got the start on the mound for the Monarchs, striking out six of nine batters faced during the first three innings. In the bottom of the third, the Methodist offense came alive, scoring four runs – two off a Wesley Hall single to right field.
• The Falcons scored their first run in the top of the sixth, answered by the Monarchs who brought home Charles Jordan and Gavin Wheeler in the bottom of the inning. Messiah scored once more in the seventh inning.
• The Monarchs provided plenty of eighth-inning excitement. With the bases loaded, Jackson Deal singled to left. The ball was then misplayed by the left fielder, rolling far enough to score four runs as Deal advanced all the way home. With a 10-2 lead and a runner on first, Rob Wilkerson launched a rocket over the right field wall to end the game due to a 10-run rule.

MORE STATS

• Andrew Baur was the winning pitcher with seven strikeouts in five innings and just four hits allowed and one walk.
• Gavin Wheeler and Jackson Deal were the two Monarchs to record multiple hits on the day. Wesley Hall and Caleb Rogers drew two walks each.
• Methodist is averaging 12 runs per game through three games.

UP NEXT
The Monarchs face Virginia Wesleyan University on Sunday during the final day of the Diamond Invitational at Armstrong-Shelley Field.