FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.—Greensboro College’s Scotty McGuire hit a grand slam as the Pride claimed a Monday evening USA South Athletic Conference (USA South) victory over Methodist University, 13-5.
The Pride (9-11, 1-5 USA South) jumped on the Monarchs (13-14, 6-5 USA South) in the top of the second inning, posting a five-run rally. Greensboro posted five-straight hits, all with one out, with each batter posting an RBI. Jamar Ellis sparked the rally with the first RBI-single of the run. Methodist countered in the next half-inning with a two-run rally produced by a two-RBI Will Dagenhart single with two outs.
Methodist closed the lead to two runs by adding a run in the bottom of the third inning. However, the Pride manufactured another five-run rally in the half-inning that followed. The Pride loaded the bases with no outs in three straight plate appearances. Methodist produced a push to get out of the bid unharmed, but McGuire connected on a grand slam to left field with one out to fuel the rally. Greensboro refilled the bases after the grand slam, placing runners in scoring position with two outs, when Brayden King advanced on a passed ball to cap the rally.
The Pride answered Methodist’s two unanswered runs in the top of the seventh inning with a three-run rally in the top of the seventh inning. The long ball fueled the rally again as Braxton Rupp connected on a two-run home run to left field as the Pride extended their lead.
Jake Baldini (Clemmons, N.C./West Forsyth) entered the game to offer relief pitching for the Pride in the bottom of the seventh inning and shut the door on Methodist as Greensboro held on to the lead and earned the win.
Each of the top-six batters for the Pride posted multi-hit efforts. Michael Garvey Jr. (Oak Ridge, N.C./Northwest Guilford) led Greensboro’s batters with a four-for-six effort with one RBI and two stolen bases. Chance Bryant finished three-for-four with two RBI and a double while Rupp finished three-for-six with three RBI. Alexander Morales was the remaining Pride batter with three or more hits in his three-for-four effort with a double.
Dagenhart led Methodist with a two-for-five effort while posting four RBI.
Cole Cooper (2-2) took the win for the Pride in a five and one-third innings effort where he struck out one batter and walked two. Alex Trepper and Baldini combined to throw three and two-third no-hit innings to close out the game. Baldini earned his second save of the season in a three-inning effort where he struck out two batters and walked two.
Nathan Cockman (0-3) took the loss for Methodist in a one and one-third innings start where he gave up five runs on eight hits while striking out one batter.
The Pride returns to action Wednesday, facing Roanoke College for a 6 p.m. contest at Ted Leonard Park.
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Courtesy of Bryan Jones, Greensboro College Sports Information Director