Methodist wins thrilling nightcap 6-5 over Greensboro

BURLINGTON, NC – With the bases loaded and only one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Greensboro 's Torrey Poholsky hit Steve Cornelius to give Methodist a 6-5 victory over Greensboro in the USA South Conference Baseball Tournament Thursday.

Brad Davis had a lead off hit in the bottom of the ninth and was sacrificed to second base. Greensboro (20-16) decided to intentionally walk Dustin Proctor before Poholosky was called in from the bullpen. He commenced to walk Matt Hunt, before hitting Cornelius and allow Davis to score the game-winner.

Greensboro was the first to light up the scoreboard, putting one run across in the top of the fourth inning. Pat Burgess got things with a one out single and advanced to second base following a hit by Jess Maloney. With two away in the inning, Anthony Corona drew a walk to load the bases and a wild pitch allowed Burgess to score for the first run of the game.

In the bottom half of the frame, Methodist (24-9) was able to knot the game at 1-1 when Brad Davis contributed an RBI to score Kyle Eudy. Eudy led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on a single by Scott Russell. Davis grounded out to first base, but Eudy was able to score on the play.

Greensboro regained the lead in the top of the fifth inning with three runs on three hits. Kyle Bolick and Burgess both singled, while Maloney drew a walk to load the bases with two away in the frame. Jeff Guerrie belted a two-out double to clear the bases and push Greensboro to a 4-1 advantage.

A pair of runs for Methodist in the bottom of the sixth inning trimmed their deficit to 4-3. Seth Kivett led of the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice. Eudy followed with a double that scored Kivett and bring the Monarchs to within 4-2. A wild pitch by Mock put Eudy on third base, before a Russell sacrifice fly brought Eudy to the plate.

Greensboro extended their lead to 5-3 in the seventh on a Burgess RBI single to score Kennedy, but gave up two Monarchs runs in the bottom of the eighth. Michael carter reached on an error and was plated by a double from Kivett. A sacrifice putout put Kivett on third and a squeeze bunt from Russell brought Kivett's tying run home.

In the top of the ninth inning, Greensboro loaded the bases with two outs, but came away empty handed. The Monarchs loaded the bases themselves in the bottom half of the frame, but were able to take advantage with the winning run, after Cornelius was hit by the pitch.

Kivett went 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Eudy went 1-for-1 with a double and three walks, while also adding one RBI. Fred Geisinger was awarded the win in one inning of work in relief of Kurt Kelly. He improved to 4-0 on the season with the victory.

Burgess had three hits and an RBI to lead the Pride. Kennedy and Maloney each added two hits for Greensboro . Torrey Poholsky suffered the loss in relief of Mock. Mock went eight and one-third inning, while tallying six strikeouts. The loss drops Poholsky to 2-2 on the year.

Methodist will advance to play on Saturday against the winner of tomorrow's Averett/Ferrum game. Greensboro will play CNU on Friday 12:30 p.m. at the Burlington Athletic Stadium.

Box Score

Tyler Wolfe throws a runner out at first. Wolfe finished 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Methodist's Seth Kivett (r) tags out Greensboro's Jess Maloney at third base. Kivett was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.