March 12, 2006
Big inning hurts Monarchs in 16-6 defeat Greensboro
Spivey goes 3-for-3 with two runs scored as Methodist falls to 8-9 and 4-5 in USA South

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Aiming to salvage a victory in this weekend’s series at USA South Athletic Conference rival Greensboro, the big inning doomed the Methodist Monarchs as they fell 16-6 against the Pride at War Memorial Stadium. The defeat is the fifth straight for Methodist, which falls to 8-9 overall and 4-5 in the USA South.

Greensboro clinged to a 5-4 lead entering the sixth inning when the Pride scored nine runs and sent 13 batters to plate in that inning. That was saddled around three Methodist errors.

The Pride scored its first two runs of the inning on a Methodist throwing error. After a Monarch balk gave Greensboro an 8-4 lead, the Pride’s Chad Clark nailed an RBI single and Gregory Allen and Brent Justice finished the Greensboro scoring with RBI doubles.

Methodist jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, as Jonathan Spivey led off the game with double and scored on a double play. The Monarchs manufactured two runs in the second inning, taking advantage of a lead-off double down the left field line by Scott Russell. Successful sacrifice bunts by Michael Carter and Kyle Eudy loaded the bases, scoring on back-to-back sacrifice flies by Andy Redman and Spivey, giving Methodist a 3-0 advantage.

Greensboro scored its first two runs in the second when Pat Burgess sent a rocket over the left field wall, trimming the lead to 3-2. The Pride continued to gain momentum in the fourth inning, when hits by Taylor Kennedy and Clark put runners in scoring position. Jeff Guerrie followed by reaching on an error, scoring Kennedy from second to tie the game.

The Pride took its first lead of the game in the fifth, scoring two runs, the first of which came on a solo home run by Burgess. With two outs and Anthony Corona on second, Clark lifted single into left field, scoring Corona for the go-ahead 5-4 run.

Methodist had single runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Russell had an RBI single in the seventh, as did Spivey in the eighth.

Spivey went a perfect 3-for-3 for Methodist with a run scored and two RBIs, while Russell went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Michael Ellsworth went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Starter Kurt Kelly was the losing pitcher, allowing 11 hits and 12 runs in five-and-two-thirds innings with five walks and three strikeouts.

For Greensboro (11-7, 5-4), Clark went 5-for-5 with a run scored and two RBIs, while Burgess went 3-for-5 with two home runs, three runs scored and three RBIs and Justice went 3-for-6 with three runs scored. Allen also went 3-for-3, and Kevin Mock was the winning pitcher.

Methodist plays next on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Guilford.