 Baseball |
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March 8, 2008 FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Ferrum took the early lead before Methodist tied the game at one. Niether team could break the tie until late in the game when the Monarchs prevailed 3-1. The Monarchs move to 12-6 overall and 2-1 in the USA South while Ferrum is 4-4 overall and 2-1 in the conference. Ferrum's Justin Franklin gave the Panthers an early 1-0 lead in the second inning on a solo shot over the fence in right field. In the third inning, the Monarchs put together a two-out rally to tie the game. Senior Scott Russell reached first on a walk and moved to second on sophomore Seth Kivett's single through the left side. Junior Kenly Locklear's single scored Russell for the Monarchs' first run of the game. Tempers flared in the fourth with two Ferrum ejections, but both teams used the momentum to feed the intensity behind the conference rivalry. It became a pitching duel between Methodist's Fred Geisinger and Ferrum's Brian Bowles with neither team able to produce a run. The Monarchs had two runners on third in the bottom of the seventh, but a pickoff and a caught stealing ended the inning. Geisinger held the Panthers to a ground out and two strikeouts in the top of the eighth leaving room for Methodist's middle of the batting order to put a stamp on the game. Russell led off with a single to center and moved to third on Kivett's single through the right side. Locklear hit another RBI single to score Russell and Kivett moved to second. Junior Dustin Proctor laid down the bunt for both runners to advance. Kivett scored on a RBI single from junior Brad Davis to give Methodist the 3-1 lead. Geisinger finished the game retiring the final three batters for the complete game win. The Monarchs scattered 10 hits with Russell, Kivett, Locklear and Davis each registering two a piece. Geisinger gave up six hits while striking out eight on the mound. Ferrum will be back tomorrow for the second game of the USA South series at 2 pm. Photo Courtesy of David Connor II |
