March 15, 2008
Monarchs Earn 8-5 Win Over Bishops
Senior Michael Carter hit 2-for-5 with two runs scored

ROCKY MOUNT, NC - The Methodist baseball team traveled to Rocky Mount, N.C. for their first USA South Conference road series of the season taking on N.C. Wesleyan. The two teams hold a long-standing rivalry with Methodist winning Saturday's match-up 8-5. Methodist moves to 16-6 overall and 4-1 in the USA South while N.C. Wesleyan is 14-6-1 overall and 2-3 in the conference.

Senior Scott Russell got the first hit of the game, but it was the Bishops that took the lead with a run in the bottom of the first after a lead off walk. The Monarchs came back in the second inning jump started by junior Brad Davis' single to left field. Senior Kyle Eudy grounded out, but Davis moved to second and junior Dustin Proctor walked. Senior Michael Carter put down the bunt single to load the bases. Junior Philip Betterly singled to left field for Davis and Proctor to score. Sophomore Brian Halpin hit the sacrifice fly for Methodist to take the 3-1 lead.

Sophomore Seth Kivett led off the third with a solo home run for fourth Methodist run of the game. Davis reached on an error and moved to second on Eudy's walk. Both runners advanced on the double steal and Davis was able to score on a wild pitch for the 5-1 lead. The Bishops countered in the bottom of the third with an unearned run as well as another run in the fourth to cut the lead to two runs. The Monarchs went scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings, but Carter reached first in the sixth on a passed ball after a strikeout. He stole second and advanced to third on Betterly's ground out before scoring on Halpin's RBI single to left field.

Methodist led 6-3 heading into the ninth and added two runs in the top of the inning on hits from Davis, Eudy and Carter. Betterly was hit by a pitch with bases loaded for pinch runner Tripp Lancaster to score giving Methodist the 8-3 lead. The Bishops tried to rally in the bottom of the inning and scored two runs, but the Monarchs finished with the 8-5 win.

Sophomore pitcher Fred Geisinger pitched another complete game win giving up nine hits and allowing four earned runs. Davis, Eudy and Carter had two hits a piece while Halpin finished with two RBI and Betterly had three.

Methodist and N.C. Wesleyan will complete their USA South series on Sunday at 2 pm.

Box Score