March 24, 2008
Methodist Earns 11-3 Win Over St. Andrews
Freshman Tripp Lancaster hit 3-for-4 with three RBI

FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Methodist scored first in the third inning and went on to win 11-3 over Division II St. Andrews Presbyterian College. Methodist moves to 19-8 overall while St. Andrews drops to 11-22 this season.

Methodist took the 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third when senior Michael Carter led off with a double to center. Freshman Tripp Lancaster laid down the bunt single and advanced to third on an error allowing Carter to score. The sacrifice bunt from senior Scott Russell scored Lancaster for the 2-0 advantage. Sophomore Seth Kivett doubled to right center and advanced to third on junior Kenly Locklear's bunt single. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch with Kivett scoring the Monarchs' third run. The Knights cut the lead to two with an unearned run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly.

Methodist countered in the bottom of the fourth when junior Kyle Eudy and Lancaster were both hit by pitches. Sophomore Brian Halpin singled through the left side to load the bases and Russell hit one back to the pitcher for Eudy to score for the 4-1 lead. The next three and a half innings went by scoreless before Kivett led off the bottom of the seventh with a single through the right side. Junior Brad Davis was hit by a pitch to move Kivett to second and junior Mike Twichell walked to load the bases. Eudy hit the sacrifice fly for Kivett to score and Davis advanced and then scored on the throw. Carter drew the walk and Lancaster singled and moved to second on the throw home but Twichell scored safely. Freshman Brian Inghram singled back to the pitcher and Carter scored on the play for the 8-1 lead.

St. Andrews responded with two runs in the eighth on four hits but the Monarchs came right back with three more runs in the bottom of the inning after two lead off walks. Carter hit a two-RBI single through the right side and Lancaster singled to center for the 11th run of the game. Methodist closed things out in the top of the ninth to win 11-3.

Junior Elliott Bisplinghoff picked up the win in seven innings pitched scattering seven hits with six strikeouts. Sophomores Josh Andrade and Landon Jordan each pitched an inning in relief allowing just one hit. Lancaster led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate with three RBI. Russell and Carter added two RBI.

The Monarchs will host Emory this weekend with a game on Saturday at 1 pm and Sunday at 2 pm.

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