FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. The Methodist baseball team opened its final USA South series of the regular season with a strong showing Friday evening, defeating North Carolina Wesleyan, 9–2, at Armstrong-Shelley Field.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final results: Methodist def. N.C. Wesleyan, 9–2
Records: Methodist 18–19 (13–6 USA South), N.C. Wesleyan 13–24 (8–11 USA South)
Location: Armstrong-Shelley Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Methodist broke through in the second inning, scoring three runs to take an early lead. After a walk and a double put two runners in scoring position, freshman Bronson Shaikh delivered a two-RBI double down the right field line. He later scored on an RBI single by senior Parker Evans to make it 3–0.
- North Carolina Wesleyan got on the board in the fourth inning with a solo home run, trimming the deficit to 3–1.
- The Monarchs added to their lead in the fifth inning when junior Austin Rinzel scored from third on a wild pitch, extending the advantage to 4–1.
- Methodist created separation in the seventh inning, scoring four runs to push the lead to 8–1. Following a pair of errors that set up the opportunity, junior Brandon Mauger drove in a run with a single. After a double by senior Israel Ortiz, junior Blake Freeman plated Mauger with a base hit before senior Ethan Golemo added a sacrifice fly. Shaikh capped the inning with an RBI single.
- Rinzel added insurance in the eighth inning with a solo home run, making it 9–1. The Battling Bishops scored once more in the ninth on a passed ball, but the Monarchs secured the 9–2 victory.
STAT FACTS
- Ortiz led the offense, going 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored.
- Shaikh recorded a career-high three RBIs.
- Four Monarchs finished with multiple hits.
- Senior Andrew Bubon earned the win, tossing seven strong innings and allowing one run on five hits. Senior Jackson Kuhn closed out the game, allowing one unearned run over the final two innings.
UP NEXT
Methodist and North Carolina Wesleyan continue their series on Saturday, April 25. First pitch is scheduled for 5 PM.
