April 18, 2006

Methodist shuts out Hampden-Sydney 6-0

Varnell picks up ninth win; Spivey and Davis hit home runs

 

FAYETTEVILLE, NC- The Methodist College Baseball team looked to rebound from last weekends USA South Conference tournament losses with a win over in-region foe Hampden-Sydney on Tuesday night.  Methodist (24-13) is now competing for an at-large bid to the national tournament after failing to secure the conference automatic bid given to the winner of the conference tournament.  The NCAA has expanded the playoff format this season, now taking fourteen at-large teams compared to the four selected last season. 

 

The Monarchs took another step toward being one of those fourteen teams with an impressive 6-0 victory over the Tigers (19-14). 

 

The teams battled through four scoreless innings to start the game.  In the top of the fifth, Methodist starter Casey Varnell struck out two with the bases loaded to keep the game scoreless.

 

The Monarchs got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning when Brad Davis walked and Jonathan Spivey followed with a home run to right center field.  The Monarchs didn’t stop there as Matt Hunt singled to left field and Steve Cornelius followed with a bunt base hit.  Hunt and Cornelius both advanced on a failed pickoff attempt before Mike Twichell singled home Hunt with a base hit through the right side.  Scott Russell then scored Cornelius on another bunt single to put the Monarchs on top 4-0.

 

Hampden-Sydney again loaded the bases in the sixth inning.  This time it was Methodist reliever Ryan Brandt who pitched his way out of the jam with three strikeouts. 

 

Methodist scored again their half of the sixth when Brad Davis reached on a error, was advanced by Jonathan Spivey’s bunt hit, and scored on a Matt Hunt fielder’s choice.

 

Brad Davis added to the lead in the eighth with his first career home run.  

 

Casey Varnell got his ninth win of the season for Methodist pitching five scoreless innings surrendering only two hits and striking out four.  Four Methodist relievers pitched an inning each to combine for the four-hit shutout.

 

Jonathan Spivey led Methodist at the plate going 3-3.  Mike Twichell added two hits for the Monarchs.

 

Methodist will host Emory this weekend in what will be extremely important South Region games.  Emory comes to town ranked #1 in the nation.  The teams will square off Saturday at 1 pm and Sunday at 2 pm.