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Team photo after the last SVU game
Melissa Kuhn
16
Winner Methodist MUBB 27-12, 16-5 USA So.
8
Southern Virginia SVU 14-23, 10-11 USA So.
Winner
Methodist MUBB
27-12, 16-5 USA So.
16
Final
8
Southern Virginia SVU
14-23, 10-11 USA So.
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Methodist MUBB 0 0 6 0 2 0 5 2 1 16 15 1
Southern Virginia SVU 0 0 3 3 2 0 0 0 0 8 7 3

W: Baur, Andrew (1-1) L: B. Steelman (1-2) S: Carroll, Chase (4)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Michael Spratt

Methodist Secures the Top Seed in the USA South, Clinches a Share of the Regular Season Title

BUENA VISTA, Va.  The Methodist University baseball team closed out conference play in style on Saturday afternoon, defeating Southern Virginia University 16–8 at Charlie Manuel Field to win the final game of the three-game series and clinch a share of the USA South Athletic Conference regular season championship.

This is the Monarchs' first regular-season title since 2018, and their 16th overall under head coach Tom Austin. Today's win also secured the top seed in the upcoming 2025 USA South Baseball Tournament.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final results: Methodist def. Southern Virginia, 16–8
Records: Methodist 27-12 (16-5 USA South), Southern Virginia 14-23 (10-11)
Location: Charlie Manuel Field; Buena Vista, Virginia
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Following a pair of scoreless innings to begin the ballgame, Methodist erupted for six runs in the top of the third. Jackson Deal and Brandon Mauger came around to score on a Southern Virginia throwing error before Justin Blunt and Ethan Golemo delivered key RBI hits to put the Monarchs ahead 6-0.
  • The Knights showed fight, clawing back with six runs during the third and fourth innings to tie the game at 6–6. However, the Monarchs responded immediately, retaking the lead with a pair of runs in the fifth, 8–6. After a double steal by Methodist, another Southern Virginia miscue allowed a run to score. Now, with the bases loaded, Deal reached first base safely on a fielder's choice, preventing an inning-ending double play and allowing Banks Engle to score the second Monarch run.
  • The Knights tied the game again at 8–8 in the fifth, but Methodist took control for good in the seventh. Blunt led off the inning with a walk before advancing to second on an Ethan Golemo sacrifice bunt. Banks Hartman stepped into the box as a pinch hitter and launched his first collegiate home run — a two-run shot to right — igniting a five-run frame. The next two batters, Deal and Mauger, traded places following back-to-back doubles. Tristen Melvin then reached first on an infield single, but a costly throwing error by South Virginia allowed Mauger to score. Caleb Rogers capped the scoring for the Monarchs with an RBI double, increasing the score to 13–8.
  • Methodist scored two more runs in the eighth inning before adding its final run in the ninth. In the eighth, Deal had an RBI base hit while Mauger recorded an RBI sacrifice fly, followed by Golemo registering an RBI fielder's choice in the ninth.
STAT FACTS
  • Deal finished the day 2-for-5 with two RBI, two runs scored, a double, and two stolen bases. Mauger stayed hot, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored, two RBI, and a double. Blunt also delivered a standout performance, finishing 3-for-4 with three runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base.
  • Golemo drove in three runs while adding a hit and a stolen base of his own.
  • On the mound, Andrew Baur earned his first win of the season with 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. Chase Carroll slammed the door with three strong innings to pick up his fourth save.
UP NEXT
Methodist wraps up the regular season on Tuesday, April 29, when the Monarchs welcome Randolph-Macon College to Armstrong-Shelley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5 PM.
    
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