FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Securing the series win over Virginia Wesleyan University, the Methodist baseball team earned a dominant victory on Saturday, defeating the Marlins 11–4. Starting pitcher
Michael Heis dealt six strikeouts and held the visitors scoreless for six innings, while the Monarch offense produced eight runs over the same span.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final results: Methodist def. Virginia Wesleyan, 11–4
Records: Methodist 2-1, Virginia Wesleyan 1-2
Location: Armstrong-Shelley Field; Fayetteville, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Brandon Mauger recorded Methodist's first hit of the game with a two-out double to left-center field in the bottom of the first. After advancing on a wild pitch, he was brought home by
Jackson Kuhn, who beat out an infield single that was fielded by the second baseman.
Kade Bell,
Ethan Golemo and
Austin Rinzel loaded the bases to start the third, but the next two at-bats resulted in outs with no runs.
Israel Ortiz was next up, and his hit into right field brought two runners around. With
Bronson Shaikh in the box, Mauger took home while Ortiz stole second (before moving to third on the throw to home). Shaikh put the ball in play and was able to reach on an error, allowing Ortiz to score unearned.
Bell came through with an RBI in the fourth and another in the fifth, while Ortiz also scored on a wild pitch in the fifth, making the score 8–0 when Heis was officially pulled from the mound. Methodist relievers gave up four runs in the final three innings, but the Monarchs generated three more runs of offense along the way. Rinzel and Golemo each tallied an RBI in the seventh, then
Jesse Osborne blasted a triple to center field, scoring
Tyler Dowler for good measure.
STAT FACTS
Bell had a great offensive outing, recording two hits, two walks and two RBI. Along with his six strikeouts, Heis allowed just three hits and one walk on the day.
UP NEXT
Methodist is back at home on Friday, Feb. 20 against Hanover College on the opening day of the 2026 Armstrong Invitational. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
