May 5, 2008
Monarchs Win 7-3 Over Piedmont
Senior Chris Toth strikes out 11 on the way to earning his sixth win this season

FAYETTEVILLE, NC - The Monarchs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and cruised to a 7-3 victory over 11th ranked Piedmont on Monday night. Prior to the game head coach Tom Austin was recognized for his 900th career win and eight seniors were honored for their contributions to the Methodist baseball program. With the win, the Monarchs move to 27-15-1 overall while Piedmont is 33-11 this season.

The Monarchs got on the board in the bottom of the first after a leadoff single from centerfielder Tripp Lancaster. Shortstop Scott Russell doubled to right field to score Lancaster and third baseman Seth Kivett singled through the left side to score Russell. Catcher Kenly Locklear reached on an error that moved Kivett to third and right fielder Brad Davis grounded out, but Kivett was able to score the Monarchs' third run of the game.

Piedmont cut into the lead with a run in the second inning on three hits. In the bottom of the fourth, Davis led off for Methodist with a single to shortstop and advanced to second on first baseman, Kyle Eudy's sacrifice bunt. Designated hitter Billy Quinn singled through the right side for Davis to advance to third. Davis scored on second baseman Blake Newsome's fielder's choice.

The Monarchs scored again in the fifth after stringing together three hits from Lancaster, Locklear and Davis. Eudy led off the sixth with a double to left center. Quinn walked and Newsome reached on a fielder's choice, but Eudy was ruled out on the play. Left fielder Michael Carter grounded out with both runners advancing before Lancaster hit the RBI single to score Quinn for the 6-1 lead.

Errors proved costly in the seventh as the Lions cut the lead to 6-3 with two unearned runs. The Monarchs came back with an unearned run by Kivett to take the 7-3 win.

Senior pitcher Chris Toth picked up the win in 6.2 innings pitched giving up seven hits with just one earned run and 11 strikeouts. Senior Robert Kisiah pitched 1.1 innings of relief before sophomore Alex Sholar finished the final inning.

Spencer Shelton took the loss for Piedmont in six innings with B.J. Hampton finishing out for the Lions.

The Monarchs will host Piedmont again on Tuesday at 2 pm for their final regular season game.

Box Score

Photo by David Conor II