June 19, 2006
Cornelius and Talbert tabbed Male and Female Scholar Athletes of the Year
Baseball and Softball student-athletes receive highest scholastic honor
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.- Methodist College Baseball and Softball programs both produced USA South Conference Championships this spring.  They also both produced Methodist College's top scholastic student-athletes in Steve Cornelius and Kayla Talbert.  The duo claimed the honor of 2005-06 Methodist College Male and Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, as announced today by Methodist athletics director Bob McEvoy. release
 

June 19, 2006
Ryan Brandt signs with the Gary SouthShore Railcats
Former Methodist pitcher becomes the twenty-first Monarch to sign a professional contract
GARY, IN-  Former Methodist pitcher Ryan Brandt became the twenty-first Monarch to sign a professional contact this week, signing with the Gary SouthShore Railcats.  The Railcats are an independent baseball team in Gary, Indiana that plays in the Northern League. release

June 5, 2006

Casey Varnell named to NCCSIA All-State Team
Senior relief pitcher went 9-3 in 2006
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  Methodist College senior relief pitcher Casey Varnell continued to add to his collection of post-season awards this week, being named to the college division all-state team by the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA). release

 

May 23, 2006

Spivey and Varnell named to ABCA All-South Region Team
Both players named Honorable Mention All-South Region
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  Methodist College junior left fielder Jonathan Spivey and senior relief pitcher Casey Varnell were honored today by the American Baseball Coaches Association.  Both players were named honorable mention All-South Region for their efforts in 2006. release

May 16, 2006

Methodist wins USA South Sportsmanship Award for Baseball and Men's Golf
Teams selected for courteous play and good attitudes

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - During the 2004-2005 academic year the USA South Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee instituted a Conference-wide Sportsmanship Award. Today the USA South is pleased to announce the Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2006 spring sports season.  Methodist College has been chosen for baseball and golf. release

May 16, 2006

Steve Cornelius named ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District
Junior sports 4.09 GPA to go with .360 Batting Average
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  Methodist College first baseman Steve Cornelius was recently named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Team.  The junior from Clarksville, MD was named to the second team in the College Division of District III. release



 

May 12, 2006

Methodist splits with York

Ryan Brandt records a complete game shutout in game one
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Methodist baseball split another non-conference twin bill on Friday, this time at York (PA).  The Monarchs, who won game one 2-0 and lost the second game 4-1, finish the regular season at 26-17.  York moves to 25-16-1. release





 

May 5, 2006

Methodist splits with Salisbury

Brandt records complete game victory; Russell and Eudy lead at the plate and in the field
FAYETTEVILLE, NC- Clinging to at-large playoff selection hopes for the last three weeks, the Methodist (25-16) baseball team wanted another chance to state their case.  They got that chance Friday with a doubleheader with visiting Salisbury University (36-7), the #5 ranked team in the nation.  Methodist won easily in game one 6-2, and then lost a thriller in game two 11-7 in ten innings. release

 

April 23, 2006

Methodist drops two to Emory

Hunt and Cornelius record five hits each on the day

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  With a potential at large invitation to the national tournament looming in the future, the Methodist baseball team had an opportunity to state their case this weekend with two games with in-region Emory University, currently ranked #9 in the nation. Unfortunately for the Monarchs the Emory bats were too hot and Methodist dropped both games 13-3 and 14-11.  With the losses, Methodist falls to 24-15 while Emory improves to 31-7. release 


 

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. release 

 

April 16, 2006

Methodist competes for six tournament championships in first ever Spring Sports Festival
Softball and Men's Golf teams win titles; Tennis teams fall in finals

BURLINGTON, NC- Methodist College entered the first ever USA South Spring Sports festival this past weekend in Burlington, North Carolina with the high hopes of going six for six.  That is, winning conference tournament championships in all six spring sports- baseball, softball, lacrosse, men's golf, and men's and women's tennis- offered by the USA South

Conference. release 

April 12, 2006
Brad Davis named USA South Rookie of the Week
Freshman goes 6-7 to lead Methodist to three home wins
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The USA South Conference named Brad Davis as the Rookie of the Week for the week ending April 9th. release


 

April 11, 2006
Seven Monarchs named All-Conference; Tom Austin tabbed Coach of the Year
Scott Russell, Jonathan Spivey, and Casey Varnell earn first team honors
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for baseball.  Methodist coach Tom Austin has been tabbed the 2006 Coach of the Year.  2006 marks the eighth time Austin has been recognized as the Conference Coach of the Year. He is in his 26th year at Methodist. The Monarchs won the regular season title after going 13-5 in the Conference and 22-11 overall. release

April 9, 2006
Monarchs win USA South regular season title with wins over Shenandoah
Casey Varnell picks ups seventh relief win in game one; Kurt Kelly pitches a complete game in game two
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Methodist College baseball team won the USA South regular season conference championship on Sunday by defeating Shenandoah University 7-5 and 5-4.  That fact might not surprise you since they've done that eight times in the last twelve years. release
 

April 8, 2006
Monarchs inch closer to conference title with 11-5 win over Shenandoah
Brandt picks up the win; Carter has big day at the plate
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Methodist college baseball team took only one step closer to the conference title on Saturday.  Mother nature will make them wait until Sunday to go the rest of the way.  The Monarchs (20-11, 11-5) defeated Shenandoah University (23-11, 7-9) by a score of 11-5 in the first game of the scheduled doubleheader.  The second game was called due to rain with the score tied 0-0 in the middle of the second inning. release
 

April 7, 2006
Monarchs in the Pro's
Blake Maxwell records opening night save for Boston's Single A; David Hoffman signs with Sioux Falls
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  It is an exciting time as the conference race heats up and the playoffs approach for the 2006 Monarch Baseball team.  It has also been an exciting week for two Monarch alumni. release
 

April 3, 2006
Methodist sweeps Averett for 6th, 7th, and 8th straight wins!
Monarchs back in first place
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  On March 15th the Monarch baseball team was 8-10 and had just lost six straight games.  They had dug themselves a huge hole in USA South competition and seemed to be in the midst of a disappointing season  Eighteen days later, the Monarchs (19-11, 10-5) are riding a seven game winning streak and are tied with NC Wesleyan for first place in the USA South.  The Monarchs won 11 of 12 games in 18 days, winning eight of nine in their home stand and sweeping a three game series at Averett this past weekend. release

 

March 29, 2006
First night game at Shelley Field a success
Good defense and execution leads to non-conference win
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Methodist Monarchs baseball team recorded a win in their first "official" night game at Shelley Field on Wednesday night with a 6-3 victory over visiting Virginia Wesleyan.  Although the new lights have gotten plenty of use recently due to some bad weather and long games, tonight's game was the first time the Monarchs were scheduled to play at night.  release

March 26, 2006
Six run rally leads to series sweep
Cornelius' single wins game in the bottom of the twelfth
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The comeback kids struck again.  The Methodist baseball team completed a series sweep of visiting Christopher Newport on Sunday in dramatic fashion.  The Monarchs (15-11, 7-5) trailed 8-2 in the sixth inning before mounting an attack that would lead well into the night and end once again in victorious celebration.  The Monarchs chipped away scoring in the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth innings to send the games to extra innings.  In the bottom of the twelfth Steve Cornelius put the final stamp on the remarkable comeback by singling home Brad Davis for the win.  The win is the third time in the last six games that the Monarchs finished the game with a game winning hit. release
 

March 25, 2006
Walk-off blast propels Monarchs
Hunt’s home run wins game one, Denning cruises in game two
FAYETTEVILLE, NC- After trailing for the entire contest, the Monarchs (14-11, 6-5) came back in grand fashion to steal the win 7-4 from Christopher Newport (10-11, 5-6) in the first game of the USA South conference doubleheader on Saturday at Shelley Field.  In the second game the Monarchs put up five runs the bottom of the second and cruised for the victory 5-0. release

March 23, 2006
Methodist handles Endicott for non-conference victory 10-3
Sholar records first collegiate win, Spivey and Cornelius perfect at the plate
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Looking to rebound from Wednesday’s loss, the Methodist Monarch baseball team cruised to a 10-3 victory over visiting Endicott College at Shelley Field on Thursday. The victory helps to Monarchs improve to 12-11.  Alex Sholar (Rocky Point, NC) recorded his first collegiate win in his first career start for the Monarchs. The Freshman threw five innings giving up two earned runs and striking out five. release

March 22, 2006
Tufts’ pitching subdues Monarch offense 3-1
Eudy accounts for lone Methodist run with RBI single
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Aiming for its fourth straight victory on Wednesday, the Methodist Monarch baseball team ran into a stalemate in the form of the Tufts Jumbos as visiting Tufts prevailed 3-1 at Shelley Field. The defeat drops the Monarchs to an even 11-11. The pitching combination of Ben Simon and Erik Johanson kept the Monarchs off balance at the plate for most of the game. Simon allowed only four hits with two strikeouts in five-and-two-thirds innings before leaving with an injury in the sixth. Johanson, however, pitched no-hit ball for the remainder of the game for the save. release

March 21, 2006
Ninth-inning rally lifts Monarchs past Maryville 3-2
Hunt goes 3-5 with game-winning hit as Methodist wins third straight
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Down to it’s last out, the Methodist Monarch baseball team pulled victory out of the jaws of defeat on Tuesday with a thrilling 3-2 victory over visiting Maryville at Shelley Field. The victory was the third straight for Methodist, which improves to 3-2 overall. Due to the bad weather, the game was pushed back to a 4 p.m. That enabled Methodist to “test” the newly-installed lights at Shelley Field. release
 

March 19, 2006
Monarchs sweep Piedmont with impressive 15-7 victory
Austin improves to 6-1 against former assistant as Methodist evens at 10-10
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – After enduring a recent six-game losing streak, the Methodist Monarch baseball team is now back in familiar territory with a winning streak. The Monarchs finished off a weekend sweep over visiting Piedmont on Sunday, downing the Lions 15-7 at Shelley Field. The victory evens Methodist at 10-10 overall. It also gave veteran Methodist head coach Tom Austin another victory over his former assistant, Piedmont head coach Jim Peeples. Austin is now 6-1 head-to-head against Peeples, who served as Austin’s top aide from 1992-2001. release
 

March 18, 2006
Skid ends! Monarchs back on winning track with 7-1 victory over Piedmont
Brandt fires complete game five-hitter with six strikeouts
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Both Ryan Brandt and his Methodist Monarch teammates were looking for any way possible for the Monarchs to break an unusual six-game losing skid. They found that way on Saturday as Methodist, behind a stellar performance by Brandt, got back on the winning track with a 7-1 victory over visiting Piedmont at Shelley Field.
The victory improves Methodist to 9-10 overall. release

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. Left fielder Jonathan Spivey went 3-for-3 with two runs scored for the Monarchs. release

March 11, 2006
Monarchs fall in doubleheader sweep at USA South rival Greensboro
Methodist now 8-8 overall and 4-4 in conference after 10-6, 12-11 defeats
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Methodist Monarch baseball team got off to rough start on Saturday, dropping a doubleheader at USA South Athletic Conference rival Greensboro at War Memorial Stadium. The Pride took the first game 10-6, and then rallied to win the nightcap 12-11. The defeats even Methodist at 8-8 overall and 4-4 in the USA South, while Greensboro improves to 10-7 and 4-4. release

 

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. Michael Ellsworth paced Methodist offensively, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. release
 

March 7, 2006
Monarchs drop 9-5 non-conference decision at Lynchburg
Cornelius goes 3-for-5 for Methodist in defeat
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Fresh off a huge weekend sweep at North Carolina Wesleyan, the Methodist Monarch baseball team dropped a 9-5 decision at non-conference rival Lynchburg on Tuesday. The defeat drops Methodist to 8-5 overall on the season. First baseman Steve Cornelius went 3-for-5 for Methodist in the defeat. release

 

March 6, 2006
Monarchs’ Proctor selected USA South Rookie of the Week for baseball - again!
Freshman catcher goes 2-for-5 with three runs scored in two games
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The USA South Athletic Conference released its third weekly baseball awards of the 2006 season on Monday, and the Methodist Monarchs were amongst the representation. Freshman catcher Dustin Proctor was selected as the USA South Rookie of the Week. This marks the second time this season that Proctor has received the conference’s rookie honor. Proctor, a 5-foot-11, 195-pounder from Whiteville, N.C., went 2-for-5 with three runs scored in two games last week. release

March 5, 2006
Monarchs complete sweep over North Carolina Wesleyan with 9-3 victory
Kelly picks up victory in start; Cornelius goes 3-for-5 with four RBIs
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – After winning a doubleheader on Saturday, the Methodist Monarch baseball team made a three-game sweep at long-time USA South Athletic Conference rival North Carolina Wesleyan on Sunday, running away from the Bishops 9-3 at Bauer Field. Methodist, which improves to 8-4 overall and 4-2 in the USA South, has now won four of its last five games and is tied with Ferrum for first place in the USA South. Freshman Kurt Kelly continued his amazing work, garnering his first collegiate victory by allowing three runs and nine hits in six-and-a-third innings with two walks and three strikeouts. release
 

March 3, 2006
Monarchs sweep North Carolina Wesleyan as Austin records 825th victory
Brandt, Denning both record victories as Methodist wins 5-4, 6-5
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – The Methodist Monarch baseball needed a big series this weekend at long-time USA South Athletic Conference rival North Carolina Wesleyan to break a recent slump. The result was a doubleheader sweep on Saturday as Methodist won both ends 5-4 and 6-5 at Bauer Field. The sweep improves the Monarchs to 7-4 overall and 3-2 in the USA South. It also gave veteran head coach Tom Austin his 825th career victory at Methodist in his 27th season. Methodist held off a furious Bishop rally in game one, and then rallied in game two with a five-run eighth inning. release
 

March 1, 2006
Miscues hurt Monarchs in 9-5 defeat against St. Andrews
Spivey goes 2-for-4 with one RBI scored for Methodist
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Mistakes in the field came home to roost for the Methodist Monarchs on Wednesday as they dropped a 9-5 contest against neighboring NCAA Division II rival St. Andrews 9-5 at Shelley Field. Methodist falls to 5-4 overall on the season with the defeat. Methodist was its own worst enemy in the field with six errors, leading to four unearned St. Andrews runs. Jonathan Spivey went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Methodist.  release

February 26, 2006
Monarchs record split with 8-7 victory in 10 innings over Ferrum
Panthers win suspended game 8-1; Spivey, Cornelius get four hits each in final game
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – They needed 10 innings, but the Methodist Monarchs salvaged the three-game USA South Athletic Conference series against rival Ferrum on Sunday with a thrilling 8-7 victory at Shelley Field. Earlier in the day, Ferrum prevailed 8-1 in the completion of Saturday’s suspended second game of a doubleheader. The split improves the Monarchs to 5-3 overall and 1-2 in the USA South. Steve Cornelius and Jonathan Spivey each had four hits in game two, and it was Cornelius' RBI single in the 10th that won it for the Monarchs. release

February 25, 2006
Ferrum spoils Monarchs’ USA South opener with 15-9 victory
Brandt takes defeat game one for Methodist; game two suspended in the sixth
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Saturday’s much-anticipated doubleheader against rival Ferrum didn’t go as planned for the Methodist Monarch baseball, at least in the first game. Ferrum pounded out 18 hits in game one to 1in 15-9 in the USA South Athletic Conference opener for both teams at Shelley Field. In addition, the Panthers held a 7-1 lead through six innings in game two when it was halted because of darkness. Senior Ryan Brandt took the defeat in game one for Methodist, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits in four innings. release
 

February 21, 2006
Monarchs’ Proctor selected USA South Rookie of the Week for baseball
Freshman catcher goes 3-for-5 in game two victory over LaGrange
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The USA South Athletic Conference released its first weekly baseball awards of the 2006 season on Monday, and the Methodist Monarchs were amongst the representation. Freshman catcher Dustin Proctor was selected as the USA South Rookie of the Week. release

February 19, 2006
Monarchs rebound, sweep 23rd-ranked LaGrange 3-1, 8-3
Brandt, Denning neutralize Panther bats as Methodist improves to 4-1
LAGRANGE, Ga. – The Methodist Monarch baseball team rebounded from Friday’s first defeat of the season at Huntingdon by recording a doubleheader sweep 3-1 and 8-3 on Sunday at 23rd-ranked LaGrange. The sweep improved the Monarchs to 4-1 overall on the 2006 season. The difference for Methodist was the performance of senior pitching standouts Ryan Brandt and Adam Denning. In game one, Brandt out-dueled LaGrange’s Joey Merrifield, going the distance by scattering seven hits with three strikeouts to make his record 1-0 on the season. Denning pitched eight innings in game two, allowing six hits and three runs with two walks and four strikeouts to improve to 2-0 on the season. release

February 17, 2006
Seven-run seventh gives Huntingdon 11-3 victory over Monarchs
Spivey goes 3-for-5 in first Monarch defeat of 2006 season
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A seven-run rally in the seventh inning proved to be the difference on Friday as the Hawks of Huntingdon handed Methodist its first defeat of the 2006 baseball season, 11-3 at Posey Field. Methodist is now 2-1 overall on the season. Jonathan Spivey paced the Monarchs, going 3-for-5 with a run scored, while Casey Varnell was the losing pitcher in relief. release

 

February 12, 2006
Methodist opens 2006 baseball season with doubleheader sweep at Flagler
Hunt, Mergo, Weadon have three hits combined for Monarchs
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Starting the 2006 baseball season a day later than originally scheduled didn’t affect the Methodist Monarchs as they opened the new season with a 12-6, 6-4 doubleheader sweep at Flagler on Sunday. It marks the sixth straight season that Methodist has won its season opener. Matt Hunt, Matt Mergo and Mark Weadon each had a combined three hits in the doubleheader for Methodist, while Casey Varnell and Adam Denning were the winning pitchers. release
 

2006 Baseball Preview
Hungry Monarchs back for more in 2006
season preview






 

January 24, 2006
Monarchs’ Brandt selected preseason All-American by Baseball America Magazine
Senior right-hander was USA South Pitcher of the Year in 2005
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The 2006 baseball season has yet to begin, but already Ryan Brandt is mentioned as amongst the best in NCAA Division III. The Methodist right-hander was mentioned as a preseason Division III All-American on Monday, according to Baseball America Magazine. Brandt, a 6-foot-5, 233-pound senior from Durham, N.C., is the only USA South Athletic Conference player mentioned amongst the preseason All-American squad. He was the ace of the Methodist starting rotation for the 2005 season, garnering first team All-USA South Athletic Conference honors and was selected USA South Pitcher of the Year. release

 

January 18, 2006
Methodist picked a close second in 2006 USA South preseason baseball poll
Monarchs open Austin’s 27th season on Feb. 11 at Flagler
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Don’t look now, but spring is fast approaching and that means baseball. The USA South Athletic Conference released its preseason poll for the 2006 baseball season, and the Methodist Monarchs were picked to finish second in the seven-team conference. The Monarchs, the defending USA South regular season champion, earned 31 points and two first place votes to finish a close second behind preseason favorite Ferrum, which received four first place votes and 33 points. release