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.

The Monarchs trailed 2-1 entering the ninth inning after leaving the bases loaded in the previous two innings. After two quick outs, Methodist was down to its last out when Zach Greenhaw laced a single to left field. Pinch-runner Michael Redman advanced to second on a wild pitch, and then scored the tying run on an RBI single by Jonathan Spivey.

With Matt Hunt at the plate, Spivey stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch in the process. Hunt then hit a slow bouncer to third, and his slide into first beat the throw for an infield hit and the game-winning run.

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.

Maryville took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI single by Ben Peters. Methodist tied it in the fifth on Kyle Eudy’s RBI single, but Maryville regained the lead with a run in the seventh on an unearned run.

Hunt went 3-for-5 for Methodist, while shortstop Scott Russell went 2-for-3. Monarch pitchers Kurt Kelly and Casey Varnell scattered seven hits and combined for 13 strikeouts. Varnell picked up the victory in relief.

For Maryville (9-14), Eric Hite went 2-for-2, while Ryan Kinsler went 2-for-3. Adam Rosen was the losing pitcher in relief for the Scots.

Methodist plays host to Tufts on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Shelley Field.