March 29, 2006
First night game at Shelley Field a success
Good defense and execution leads to non-conference win

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Methodist Monarchs baseball team recorded a win in their first "official" night game at Shelley Field on Wednesday night with a 6-3 victory over visiting Virginia Wesleyan.  Although the new lights have gotten plenty of use recently due to some bad weather and long games, tonight's game was the first time the Monarchs were scheduled to play at night.

The win was a total team effort as Methodist played great defense, received some quality relief pitching, executed their offense, and received hits from seven different players to top the Marlins.

The Monarchs opened the scoring the third with some well executed "small ball".  Kyle Eudy singled to center to lead off the inning.  Michael Carter successfully bunted for a hit on his sacrifice attempt allowing Eudy to reach third base.  Brad Davis then got the Monarchs on board with a perfect bunt on a safety squeeze.

Methodist starter Alex Sholar looked good early as he faced the minimum through the first three innings.  However, he got into some trouble in the fourth allowing a lead off single, a subsequent bunt single, and a hit batsmen to load the bases.  Sholar then threw a wild pitch to advance the runners and tie the game.  The next batter Ozz Dhramapitaksook then singled to right giving the Marlins a 3-1 advantage and ending Sholar's outing.  Kurt Kelly came on to pitch the Monarchs out of the jam and become the pitcher of record, picking up his second win of the year.

The Monarchs tied the game in the bottom of the fourth when Michael Ellsworth and Dustin Proctor singled and scored on Scott Russell's double to right field.

The Monarchs took the lead for good in the fifth with great execution once again.  Michael Carter singled and was advanced by another Brad Davis sacrifice.  Carter then scored from second when Virginia Wesleyan catcher Matt Hudgins overthrew third on Carter's steal attempt. 

The Monarchs played the well-lit field to near perfection on defense.  Virginia Wesleyan's attempts were snuffed on numerous occasions with some solid defensive plays under the bright lights.  They also received some great relief pitching.  In addition to Kelly, relievers Casey Varnell, Adam Denning, and Ryan Brandt all came on to pitch a total of 6 and 2/3 scoreless innings; scattering six hits, not walking a batter, and striking out eight.

The Monarchs (16-11) travel to Averett this weekend for a three game USA South conference series.