April 7, 2007
Monarchs Clinch Regular Season With 11-4 Win Over Shenandoah
Senior Mike Ellsworth hit 2-for-5 on the day

WINCHESTER, VA— After Friday afternoon's struggles offensively, things looked similar through the first few innings on Saturday, but the Monarchs broke out with a seven-run ninth inning to win 11-4 over the Hornets.  Methodist moves to 23-9 overall and 7-5 in the USA South while Shenandoah is 20-10 overall and 5-7 in the conference.

With the win, the Monarchs are tied for first in the conference with North Carolina Wesleyan and Averett who also picked up wins on Saturday.  The entire tournament bracket will be announced later Saturday.

Both teams were held scoreless through the first four and a half innings before the Hornets scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.  The Monarchs countered with a run in the sixth inning without a hit.  Senior Steve Cornelius was hit by a pitch to reach first base and advanced to third on a defensive error for the Hornets on junior Scott Russell's ball hit to the shortstop.  Sophomore Brad Davis laid down the sacrifice bunt to score Cornelius.  Methodist tied the game in the seventh when senior Matt Hunt led off with a double to right center.  Senior Jonathan Spivey sacrificed Hunt to third and freshman Seth Kivett singled to left field to score Hunt.

Shenandoah regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh on three hits.  Methodist tied the game again in the eighth with two runs when Russell led off with a double to right center. Russell stole third and capitalized on a throwing error by Shenandoah catcher David Divine to score.  Davis followed up with a single and Halpin sacrificed him to second.  Senior Andy Redman came on to pinch run and moved to third on a passed ball before scoring on sophomore Dustin Proctor's single down the right field line.

With the game still tied at four entering the ninth inning, the Monarchs put together a two-out rally to score seven runs against three different Shenandoah pitchers.  Senior Mike Ellsworth and Cornelius led off with a single a piece.  With two outs, Redman walked to load the bases and Halpin hit a single to center field to score pinch runner Phillip Betterly and Cornelius.  Proctor kept things going with a double to score Redman and Halpin for the 8-4 lead.  Hunt doubled to score Proctor and junior Michael Carter's single scored Hunt.  Betterly stayed in the game as the designated hitter and hit a single to right field to score Carter for the 11-4 win.

Junior pitcher Chris Toth pitched the complete game for the win while Rhys Wolford drew the loss for the Hornets.

The Monarchs will compete in the USA South Conference Tournament from April 12-15 in Burlington, NC.

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