BREVARD, N.C. Searching for a series win against Brevard on Sunday, the Methodist baseball team was forced to battle from behind after allowing five runs in the third inning. Despite a five-run inning of their own in the ninth, the Monarchs fell short of victory in a 12-10 loss to the Tornados.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final results: Brevard def. Methodist, 12-10
Records: Methodist 15-15 (7-5 USA South), Brevard 16-10 (9-3)
Location: Gil Coan Field; Brevard, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a scoreless first inning, Banks Engle reached base in the top of the second with a leadoff single. He advanced to second on a Caleb Greene bunt before Tristen Melvin batted him around. Methodist's lead didn't last long before Brevard put up five runs in the bottom of the third.
- A homerun derby broke out in the middle innings, starting with a two-run bomb by Jackson Deal in the fourth. In the fifth, the Monarchs conceded back-to-back homers – a two-run blast followed by a solo shot – giving the Tornados an 8-3 advantage.
- Caleb Rogers drew an RBI walk in the top of the sixth to make the score 8-4, but Brevard answered with two more runs in the bottom of the inning to take a six-run lead.
- Deal scored in the top of the eighth to reduce the damage by one run, but the Tornados took advantage of a couple Methodist miscues in the bottom of the inning, scoring two more runs of their own for a 12-5 lead.
- Unwilling to go down easily, the Monarchs made a last-gasp effort at a comeback. With two outs and a runner on first, Austin Rinzel and Deal both walked to load the bases. Hunter Hollman singled, scoring two runs, before Banks Hartman earned a free base after being hit by a pitch. Back-to-back hits by Rogers and Brandon Mauger scored three more runs for Methodist to make the score 12-10, but the Monarchs would ultimately strand a runner on third and the tying run on second.
STAT FACTS
- Caleb Rogers and Jackson Deal led the Monarchs offensively on Sunday, with Rogers batting 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two walks while Deal batted 3-for-5 with four runs scored, two RBIs and one walk.
- Methodist and Brevard batters combined for 15 walks during Sunday's contest.
UP NEXT
The Monarchs return to Fayetteville for a three-day weekend series versus North Carolina Wesleyan starting Friday at 6 p.m. The Battling Bishops are currently ranked No. 22 in the D3Baseball.com/NCBWA top-25 poll.