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Banks Engle 3-run home run trot in NCAA Regional
3
Methodist MUBB 33-14
6
Winner Messiah MESS 33-14
Methodist MUBB
33-14
3
Final
6
Messiah MESS
33-14
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Methodist MUBB 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 8 1
Messiah MESS 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 4 X 6 8 0

W: N. Barrall (2-2) L: Kuhn, Jackson (5-2)

5
Winner Methodist MUBB 34-14
4
Randolph-Macon RMC 31-17
Winner
Methodist MUBB
34-14
5
Final
4
Randolph-Macon RMC
31-17
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Methodist MUBB 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 1 5 7 0
Randolph-Macon RMC 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 7 1

W: Carroll, Chase (3-1) L: W. Wian (6-2)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Matthew Shealy

Engle's 3–Run Blast Propels Monarchs to Comeback Victory on Saturday

ASHLAND, Va.  After a close loss to Messiah University on Saturday afternoon, the Methodist baseball team responded with a come–from–behind victory over Randolph–Macon College to survive another day in the NCAA Tournament regionals. The Monarchs were down 4–0 against the Yellow Jackets but scored the final five runs of the game to eliminate the regional host.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Messiah def. Methodist, 6–3; Methodist def. Randolph–Macon, 5–4
Records: Methodist 34-14; Messiah 33–14; Randolph–Macon 31–17
Location: Hugh Stephens Field at Estes Park; Ashland, Virginia

HOW IT HAPPENED – VS. MESSIAH
  • Each team saw at least one baserunner every frame for the first three innings, yet no runs were scored. The Methodist defense played well, fueled by a pair of strikeouts from Ian Swanson during that span.
  • After a one–out triple for Banks Engle in the top of the fourth, the Monarchs managed to score two runs on RBI singles by Justin Blunt and Parker Evans. A leadoff home run for the Falcons in the following frame cut Methodist's lead in half.
  • Tossing seven full innings of work, Swanson totaled eight strikeouts. However, before his final two, Messiah tied the game in the bottom of the seventh on an error.
  • Methodist wasted no time in retaking the lead, with a one–out single by Engle scoring Caleb Rogers from second base. Back–to–back walks loaded the bases with two outs, but the Monarchs weren't able to bring any more runs across the plate.
  • With Jackson Kuhn on the mound to start the eighth, a two–run home run put the Falcons in front for the first time all game. Two additional runs were scored to which Methodist had no answer.
HOW IT HAPPENED – VS. RANDOLPH–MACON
  • In a rematch with one of Methodist's opponents from the regular season, the Yellow Jackets struck early, scoring one run in the first inning and three more in the second.
  • With just one out in the bottom of the second, Andrew Baur assumed the pitching duties for the Monarchs. Tossing 4.1 innings, the righty was charged with no runs and conceded just two hits as he steadied the ship for Methodist.
  • A leadoff triple by Blunt to start the fifth inning set the Monarchs up for their first run of the game, which came on a sacrifice fly by Austin Rinzel.
  • In the top of the sixth, Engle stepped up to the plate with one out — a situation that he clearly thrived in during the games on Saturday. With two runners on, Engle took the ball deep over the tall left–field wall and circled the bases to tie the score at 4–4.
  • Bases were juiced with just one out in the bottom of the seventh when the Monarchs called upon their closer. Composed as ever, Chase Carroll struck out the first batter he faced before forcing the next batter to fly out, escaping catastrophe.
  • Following a scoreless eighth inning, Blunt got the ninth started with a leadoff single, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Rinzel. With Randolph–Macon finally removing its starting pitcher from the game, Ethan Golemo stared down the new hurler before punching a double into right field, bringing Blunt home for the go–ahead score. The 5–4 lead was safe in the hands of Carroll, who only needed to face three batters in the final frame and ended the game with a swinging strikeout.  
NUMBERS
  • It's the fourth time this season in which the Monarchs have recorded a double, triple and home run in the same game. All three extra–base hits were key components of Methodist's win on Saturday.
  • Engle's home run was not just his first of the season; it's the senior's first home run in his four–year career as a Monarch. 
  • The Methodist defense was error free against the Yellow Jackets, making the necessary plays that left 12 runners stranded for Randolph–Macon. Eight of those runners were left on base in the final four innings.
UP NEXT
Methodist will face Messiah for the title of regional champions on Sunday. The Monarchs (now bearing one loss) would need to defeat the Falcons twice since Messiah has not lost during the regional. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday with a second game to follow approximately 45 minutes later if necessary.
 
 
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