Box Score BURLINGTON, NC – Fourth-seeded Methodist (25-12-1) outlasted the top seeded Christopher Newport's baseball team (23-9) 10-9 in 12 innings.
The Captains came back from an 8-2 deficit to tie the game at nine in the bottom of the ninth, but the Monarchs scored the game-winning run in the top of the 12th.
The Monarchs jumped out to an early lead over the Captains in the first inning. Shortstop Scott Russell reached on hit by pitch in the two spot and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Catcher Kenly Locklear walked to set up first baseman Kyle Eudy for the two-RBI double to left center.
Christopher Newport led off the bottom of the first with a walk to center fielder Mike Giarrizzi. Second baseman Alex Owen sacrificed him to second and Giarrizzi moved to third on a ground out from short stop Trae Bailey. The Captains cut the lead to one with a RBI single up the middle by first baseman Chris Despins.
Methodist left two on in the second as the Captains went on to tie the game in the bottom of the inning. Right fielder Eric Cole led off with a single and moved to second on the sacrifice by third baseman Parker Neal. Cole advanced to third on a ground out and scored on a failed pickoff attempt from the Monarchs.
Eudy led off the fourth with a walk and right fielder Brad Davis followed up with a hit by pitch. Both runners advanced on designated hitter Dustin Proctor's sacrifice bunt. Left fielder Tripp Lancaster loaded the bases with a walk and second baseman Brian Inghram singled through the right side for Eudy and Davis to score, giving Methodist a 4-2 advantage.
In the top of the fifth third baseman Seth Kivett drew the walk to lead off and Locklear reached on a bunt single. Kivett was called out on Eudy's fielder's choice, but Davis' single through the left side allowed Locklear to score. Proctor loaded the bases with a single and Lancaster singled to right advancing all of the runners with Eudy scoring Methodist's sixth run of the game. Inghram was hit by a pitch to score Davis. Proctor was ruled out at home on Carter's fielder's choice but Lancaster stole home for the 8-2 lead.
The Captains put together a rally in the bottom of the sixth when catcher Thomas Drewry doubled to left field and left fielder Thomas Medina drew the walk. Giarrizzi singled through the right side for Medina to reach third, but Drewry was called out at the plate. Giarrizzi moved to second on a wild pitch and Owen loaded the bases with a walk. Bailey came through with the two out triple to center field for all three runners to score.
Methodist added a run in the ninth after two walks to Inghram and Carter. Russell hit the RBI single to score Inghram. Carter and Russell advanced on the double steal and the Captains opted to intentionally walk Kivett for Locklear to step to the plate with the bases loaded. Locklear popped up for the final out giving Christopher Newport one more opportunity to close the four run deficit.
Bailey led off the bottom of the ninth reaching on an error and advanced to second. Despins singled to center field and Bailey moved to third. McDougal singled to right center moving Despins to third and Bailey scored. Right fielder Eric Cole hit a booming triple to the fence in right center for both runners to score. Methodist relief pitcher, Robert Kisiah fanned David Fennessey, but Drewry hit the sacrifice fly for Cole to score the tying run. Kisiah retired Medina for the final out to send the game to extra innings.
The Monarchs had two runners in scoring position in the top of the tenth, but the Captains picked up the third out to leave them stranded. Christopher Newport left a runner in the 11th, but it was not until the top of the 12th when the Monarchs' Locklear led off with a double and Billy Quinn drew the walk. Davis laid down the sacrifice to advance the runners and the Captains opted to walk Proctor. Lancaster hit the sacrifice fly deep in center for all runners to advance. Locklear's run gave Methodist the 10-9 lead.
Alex Sholar finished things off for the Monarchs retiring the first three batters to pick up the win. He pitched the final three innings for Methodist without allowing a hit and striking out three to earn the win. Chris Toth pitched the first 6.1 innings while Robert Kisiah went 2.2 in relief. The Captains' Steven Millerleile started on the mound and went four innings while Kevin Moreland took the loss in relief.
Methodist will face #2 N.C. Wesleyan Saturday morning at 10 am. Christopher Newport will take on #6 Ferrum at 1:30 pm.
Box Score
