FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. After allowing four early runs to the Guilford College Quakers on Tuesday, the Methodist baseball team battled back to tie the game before falling 6-5. The Monarchs produced just six hits in the loss compared to Guilford's 12.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final results: Guilford def. Methodist, 6-5
Records: Methodist 12-17, Guilford 13-15
Location: Armstrong-Shelley Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Quakers lit up the scoreboard in the top of the first, taxing
Bryson Pope for four runs on six hits, which included a three-run home run. The Monarchs got one run back in the third inning thanks to a triple by
Kade Bell and a two-out, RBI double by
Brandon Mauger.
Bryce Mauger held the Quakers at bay after relieving Pope, keeping the Monarchs within striking distance.
In the bottom of the fourth, the first two Methodist batters reached on fielding errors, making way for
Ethan Golemo to single up the middle and drive in a run. After
Parker Evans drew a walk to load the bases with no outs,
Bronson Shaikh knocked in a run to pull the Monarchs within one. During the next at-bat, Shaikh broke for second, drawing Guilford's attention his way as Golemo safely bolted home to tie the score at 4-4.
With
Paul Olive on the mound to start the fifth, the Guilford offense used two hits and two walks to their advantage, pulling in front by two. Trailing 6-4, the Monarchs found one run in the seventh on an RBI single from
Israel Ortiz before going hitless in the final two innings.
STAT FACTS
Bryce Mauger tossed 3.1 innings for Methodist, giving up just one hit, while
Brandon Mauger was the lone Monarch batter on the afternoon to record multiple hits, going 2-for-5 at the plate.
The Methodist defense stranded 13 Guilford runners, including three bases-loaded situations.
UP NEXT
Methodist will be back at home on Friday when the Monarchs begin their three-game USA South series versus William Peace University. Friday's first pitch is set for 6 p.m.
