May 12, 2006

Methodist splits with York

Ryan Brandt records a complete game shutout in game one

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Methodist baseball split another non-conference twin bill on Friday, this time at York (PA).  The Monarchs, who won game one 2-0 and lost the second game 4-1, finish the regular season at 26-17.  York moves to 25-16-1.

The Monarchs managed only seven total hits off York pitching throughout the two seven inning contests.  Michael Carter led the Monarchs with two hits on the day.

Methodist won game one by a score of 2-0 despite the fact that York had twice as many hits.  However, as the saying goes, it's pitching a defense that wins games.  Both Methodist runs came courtesy of a walk or an error.  The Monarchs, by comparison, did not walk a batter nor make an error in game one. 

Methodist opened the scoring in the second when Michael Carter singled, advanced to second on an error, and scored what would be the winning run on a Jason Hughes single up the middle.

Methodist added an insurance run in the fourth when Scott Russell doubled home Matt Mergo, who reached on a walk.

The Monarchs rode the arm of senior Ryan Brandt who pitched all seven innings scattering eight hits and walking no one while striking out seven.  Chris Brower took the loss for York, only his second loss of the season, despite only allowing four hits.

In the second game, York starter Brad McCullough was too much for Methodist, allowing only three singles, a walk, and one seventh inning run.

York got on the board off Methodist starter Adam Denning with a run on a Justin Kaplan single scoring Ryan Poff. 

Poff added two more runs for York in the third on an RBI single of his own.

The Spartans added another insurance run in the fourth and cruised to the victory.

Steve Cornelius, Kyle Eudy, and Michael Carter all singled for Methodist. 

Methodist will await word of whether they will be offered an at-large bid to the national tournament.  Methodist was denied a bid in 2005 and despite a few more losses this season, the NCAA has expanded the at-large pool from four to fourteen, giving the Monarchs a slightly improved chance.