HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. The Methodist baseball team stepped out of conference play Tuesday afternoon and earned a hard-fought 7–5 victory over Hampden-Sydney College in a back-and-forth non-conference matchup at Yank Bernier Field.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final results: Methodist def. Hampden-Sydney, 7–5
Records: Methodist 11–14, Hampden-Sydney 10–15
Location: Yank Bernier Field; Hampden-Sydney, Virginia
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Methodist struck first in the second inning, plating the game's opening run. After a hit by pitch, a walk, and a wild pitch, the Monarchs placed runners in scoring position before senior Keegan Megaro produced a productive out that allowed the run to cross the plate.
- Hampden-Sydney answered in the bottom half of the inning. With the bases loaded, a base hit drove in two runs to give the Tigers a 2–1 advantage.
- The Monarchs quickly responded in the third to reclaim the lead. Freshman Bronson Shaikh led off with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch. On a sacrifice bunt attempt by Austin Rinzel, a throwing error by Hampden-Sydney allowed Shaikh to score while Rinzel advanced to second. Following another sacrifice bunt, senior Israel Ortiz delivered an RBI single to put Methodist ahead, 3–2.
- The Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the third on a sacrifice fly before the Monarchs regained a 4–3 lead in the fourth inning on a bases-loaded wild pitch. Hampden-Sydney again responded, evening the score at 4–4 in the fifth. Each team plated another run in the sixth to keep the game tied at 5–5, with Shaikh scoring for Methodist after another Tigers miscue.
- Methodist broke the deadlock in the eighth inning. With Megaro standing on third, Rinzel laid down a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt that allowed Megaro to score the go-ahead run.
- The Monarchs added an insurance run in the ninth when senior Jackson Kuhn delivered an RBI single. Kuhn then took the mound for the final two innings and shut down the Tigers' offense to secure the 7–5 victory.
STAT FACTS
- Shaikh turned in the best performance of his young collegiate career, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate.
- Ortiz also had a strong day offensively, finishing 3-for-5 with an RBI.
- Senior Clay Pridgen earned the win, the first of his collegiate career, tossing two innings while allowing one run on one hit and striking out four batters.
- Kuhn recorded the save, his first of the season, after pitching the final two innings.
UP NEXT
Methodist returns to USA South play this weekend with an important road series at Greensboro College. The three-game set begins Friday, April 3, with first pitch scheduled for 4 PM.
