May 5, 2007
Monarchs Roll Through York 6-1
Chris Toth pitches complete game 4-hitter for the win on the mound

FAYETTEVILLE, NC -  The Methodist baseball team improved their chances for a bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 6-1 win over York Saturday night.  Both teams are ranked in the South region by the NCAA with York at number three and Methodist at four and just a doubleheader remaining for each team.  With the win, the Monarchs improve to 29-11 on the season while York moves to 28-11.

Prior to the game, Methodist seniors Steve Cornelius, Michael Ellsworth, Matt Hunt, Andy Redman and Jonathan Spivey were honored in their last home game.  Methodist pitcher Chris Toth retired the first three batters for York before the Monarchs' offense took control.  In the bottom of the first, Matt Hunt walked and advanced to second on a single to right center by Seth Kivett.  Ellsworth singled to center to score Hunt and move Kivett to third on the play.  Scott Russell hit a fly ball to left field, but scored Kivett for the Monarchs' 2-0 lead.

Hitless through the first two innings, the Spartans scored their first run of the game in the top of the third on a walk and a hit.  Methodist responded in the bottom of the inning when Kivett led off with another single.  Ellsworth was hit by a pitch to reach first and move Kivett to second.  Kivett and Ellsworth were both able to advance on wild pitches.  Scott Russell hit a single to left field and advanced to second on a defensive miscue while both runners scored.  Brian Halpin moved Russell to third on a groundout and a double off the fence in center for Dustin Proctor would score Russell.  Redman dropped in a single to left center to score Proctor for the 6-1 lead. 

York had runners on first and second in the fifth with no outs, but Toth picked off the runner on second and the Monarchs' defense went on to secure the final two outs of the inning to leave two stranded.  The Spartans tallied two hits in the seventh, but couldn't get another run across the plate as the Monarchs finished with the 6-1 win.

Kivett finished 3-for-4 on the day while Redman went 2-for-3 with a RBI.  Russell led with three RBI on the day.

The Monarchs will finish the regular season at Salisbury on Monday with a doubleheader slated for 12 pm.

Box Score