FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. After a one-day delay due to rain, Methodist baseball closed out the 2026 Armstrong Invitational on Monday afternoon, falling to Hanover College, 10–3, at Armstrong-Shelley Field.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final results: Hanover def. Methodist, 10–3
Records: Methodist 2-4, Hanover 1-2
Location: Armstrong-Shelley Field; Fayetteville, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Methodist struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Senior Israel Ortiz led off with a base hit and advanced to third following a Hanover error. Junior Blake Freeman delivered with an RBI single, bringing Ortiz home and giving the Monarchs a 1–0 lead.
- Hanover's offense broke through in the fourth. An RBI triple by Landon Armstrong tied the game before he came around to score on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, Ethan King added an RBI single to put the Panthers ahead 3–1.
- The Monarchs answered in the bottom half of the frame. Senior Keegan Megaro and freshman Kade Bell recorded back-to-back hits to set the table. Senior Ethan Golemo followed with a base hit to center field, scoring Megaro and trimming the deficit to 3–2.
- The turning point of the contest came in the seventh. Hanover capitalized on timely hitting and opportunities with runners aboard, stringing together seven runs in the inning to stretch the lead to 10–2 and seize full control of the contest.
- Methodist added one final run in the eighth on an RBI groundout by freshman Bryce Mauger.
STAT FACTS
- Ortiz led the Monarchs at the plate, going 2-for-4.
- Freshman Tyler Hicks recorded his first collegiate hit, a double, after entering late.
- Seven Methodist pitchers saw action, with sophomore Michael Heis tossing a team-high 4.0 innings.
UP NEXT
Methodist travels for the first time this season on Wednesday, February 25, for a neutral-site matchup against Keystone College at the Cal Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. First pitch is scheduled for 4 PM.
