FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Top-seed Methodist University baseball opened the 2025 USA South Baseball Tournament in commanding fashion Thursday afternoon, dismantling North Carolina Wesleyan University 15–0 in a seven-inning, run-rule shutout at Armstrong-Shelley Field.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Methodist def. N.C. Wesleyan, 15–0 (7 Innings)
Records: Methodist 28-13; N.C. Wesleyan 11-28
Location: Armstrong-Shelley Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• It didn't take long for the Monarchs to get on the board. A leadoff double, combined with a bobble in the outfield, allowed Jackson Deal to reach third base. Then, Brandon Mauger drove him home on a sacrifice fly, putting Methodist ahead 1–0 in the first.
• The Monarchs plated four more runs in the second to make it 5–0. The inning was highlighted by Mauger's two-run base hit and an RBI single by Blake Freeman.
• A pair of wild pitches and several costly defensive errors by the Battling Bishops in the third and fifth innings increased the deficit to 11–0.
• The final four runs for Methodist came in the sixth inning. With runners on first and second, Mauger hit a pitch to right field for one run, followed by Tristen Melvin, who completed the scoring with a three-run home run to right field.

NUMBERS

• Mauger and Melvin each had excellent performances, as the two combined for 4-for-7 and nine RBI. Mauger went 2-for-3 with five RBIs, while Melvin finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs.
• Senior Kyle Molivas set the tone on the mound, spinning six scoreless innings and striking out seven while scattering six hits and five walks.

UP NEXT
Methodist will return to the diamond on Friday, May 2, when the Monarchs play Southern Virginia University in a doubleheader to determine which team will advance to the championship series. The first game is scheduled for noon, with game two set for 4 PM.