FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist baseball opened its three-game USA South series against William Peace University with a 6–4 victory Friday evening at Armstrong-Shelley Field.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final results: Methodist def. William Peace, 6–4
Records: Methodist 13–17 (8–5 USA South), Guilford 12–18 (5–8 USA South)
Location: Armstrong-Shelley Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- William Peace jumped on Methodist starter Andrew Bubon early, recording four hits in the opening frame to take a quick 2–0 lead.
- The Monarchs answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning, scoring two runs to even the score at 2–2. The first two Methodist batters each singled to put runners in scoring position. Senior Israel Ortiz then drove in the first run on a groundout, while the tying run came home on a balk.
- Methodist took its first lead of the game in the third inning, plating three runs to move ahead 5–2. After a pair of walks put runners on base, Ortiz lined a hard shot that deflected off a leaping fielder's glove and into the outfield, allowing a run to score. Two batters later, senior Keegan Megaro delivered an RBI single to the right-center gap, and senior Ethan Golemo capped the inning with a sacrifice fly.
- The Monarchs added their final run in the fifth inning to extend the lead to 6–2. Junior Brandon Mauger led off with a base hit and later advanced to third on a wild pitch and a fly out before scoring on a sacrifice fly from junior Blake Freeman.
- Following the rocky first inning, Bubon settled in but allowed single runs in both the sixth and seventh innings as the Pacers trimmed the deficit to 6–4.
- William Peace's comeback bid fell short as junior Presley Patterson finished the seventh inning before senior Jackson Kuhn took over in the eighth and ninth to secure the victory for the Monarchs.
STAT FACTS
- Mauger and Austin Rinzel each recorded two hits to lead the Methodist offense.
- Ortiz drove in a team-high two RBIs, while Freeman, Golemo, and Megaro each added one.
- Bubon earned the win after pitching 6.1 innings and allowing four runs. Patterson recorded the final two outs of the seventh, and Kuhn picked up the save with three strikeouts over the final two innings.
UP NEXT
Methodist continues its series against William Peace on Saturday, April 11, with a doubleheader at Armstrong-Shelley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 PM.
