FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Eastern Baseball fell to Methodist University on Tuesday afternoon 18-5. The Monarchs scored 13 runs in the first three innings of play including a nine-run third inning to earn the victory.

"Today was tough," said Head Coach Jed Morris. "We struggled to get our offense going and we struggled defensively." 

Methodist (5-3) struck early in the first inning hitting a three-run home run on the fourth batter of the inning to take the 3-0 lead. The Monarchs would tack on another run in the second inning to make the score 4-0. 

Eastern (0-3) finally managed to get a base runner on in the top of the third inning when Shane Albertson drew a walk. Albertson was left on base, though, and the Eagles failed to score. In the bottom of the third Methodist exploded offensively for nine runs. After the first two batters had reached base safely, an attempted sacrifice bunt led to two runs scoring after an error. A single to left by the ensuing batter stretching the lead to 7-0. The Monarchs would tack on another six runs all on consecutive at bats including four straight walks that led to scores. 

"We have to be better plain and simple," continued Morris. "That was a poor inning pitching wise for us and allowing them to take advantage of our mistakes.' 

The Eagles got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning. After Albertson and Angelo Kelly got on base Timmy Gorton doubled to left scoring Albertson to make the score 13-1. Joseph De Los Santos doubled on the very next at-bat to plate both Kelly and Gorton to pull Eastern within ten at 13-3. 

Kelly and Andrew Boykin capped off the scoring for the Eagles in back-to-back innings. Kelly singled in the seventh to score Nick Centeno and Boykin hit a solo home run to make the score 13-5. 

The Monarchs scored five more runs in the bottom of the eighth to make the score final at 18-5. 

"They are a good team so take nothing away from them," concluded Morris. "I think a day off will be very helpful for us to rest up and get our minds right. It's a long season and we just have to turn it around."  

Kelly finished the game going 3-5 with an RBI and scoring a run. Boykin went 1-4 with a home run and scoring one run.   

Eastern takes on Immaculata University on March 3rd in Fort Pierce, Fla.