March 9, 2006
Defensive miscues haunt Monarchs in 9-6 defeat against Bridgewater
Ellsworth goes 3-for-4 with two RBIs in Methodist defeat

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Defensive miscues came back to haunt the Methodist Monarch baseball team on Thursday as it dropped a 9-6 decision to visiting Bridgewater at Shelley Field. The defeat drops the Monarchs to 8-6 overall on the season.

Methodist was its own worst enemy in the field, committing five errors that led to seven unearned runs for Bridgewater. The Eagles scored two runs in the second inning on back-to-back walks with the bases loaded following a Methodist error. In the third, Bridgewater scored three runs off a Methodist error and a passed ball, increasing its lead to 5-0.

An RBI single by Grant French in the fourth increased the Eagle lead to 6-1. Bridgewater then made it 9-1 in the fifth as Greg Thomas led off with a solo home run and Justin Showalter added an RBI single.

Methodist made a game of it with four runs in the seventh. Steve Cornelius drilled a two-run single, and Michael Ellsworth and Dustin Proctor both had RBI singles. That, however, was as close as Methodist would get.

Monarch starter Kevin Branch, one of seven starters used by Methodist, took the loss. He allowed five hits and six runs, but only one was earned, and had two strikeouts and four walks. Methodist pitchers combined for eight walks and two hit batters.

Offensively, Ellsworth went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for Methodist, while Cornelius went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Kyle Eudy went 2-for-3 for the Monarchs.

For Bridgewater (5-4), Thomas and Mike Graves both went 2-for-5. Eagle starter Matt Nolen picked up the victory, scattering six hits and two runs in five-and-two-thirds innings with a walk and three strikeouts. Ricky Read worked a scoreless ninth for the save.

The two teams used a combined 12 pitchers in the game and left a combined 22 runners on base. Offensively, there was a combined 20 hits in the game.

Methodist is back in USA South Athletic Conference action this weekend at rival Greensboro. The series starts with a doubleheader on Saturday at 12 p.m., followed by a single game on Sunday at 2 p.m.