March 3, 2007
Methodist Takes 7-3 Win Over #7 NC Wesleyan
Freshman Seth Kivett drives in two runs going 3-for-4 from the plate

FAYETTEVILLE, NC- The Monarchs were anxious to face conference rival and 7th-ranked North Carolina Wesleyan on Saturday.  The Bishops scored first, but the Monarchs responded with a four-run first inning to score all the runs they would need.  Methodist moves to 7-3 overall and 2-1 in the USA South, while NC Wesleyan moves to 11-4 this season and 2-1 in the conference.

With the Bishops holding a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the first, junior Kyle Eudy doubled to right field to score junior Matt Hunt and senior Jonathan Spivey.  Sophomore Billy Quinn reach first on a walk and junior Scott Russell singled to load the bases.  The Bishops made two outs at home before freshman Seth Kivett's single to right field would score Russell and sophomore Dustin Proctor.  The Monarchs picked up where they left off in the bottom of the second inning with hits by Spivey and Eudy.  Quinn's single to left scored Spivey and Proctor hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Eudy. 

The Monarchs took a 7-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Spivey to score freshman Brian Halpin.  Going into the seventh inning, sophomore pitcher Kurt Kelly had only given up three hits on one unearned run.  In the top of the seventh, the Bishops' bats started connecting to knock out three hits with two runs.  Freshman Fred Geisinger came on in relief to record the final out of the inning.  Geisinger finished the final two innings without giving up a hit to secure the 7-3 win for the Monarchs.

Kivett finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and Spivey went 2-for-3 with a RBI.  Eudy was 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Both teams will return to Armstrong-Shelley field on Sunday at 2 pm for game two of the weekend series.

Box Score