Marlins Secure 5-0 Shutout over Methodist

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.—The Virginia Wesleyan College baseball team's pitching staff kept zeroes on the board, as the batters got timely hits to defeat Methodist University 5-0 in non-conference action Wednesday afternoon.

First-year Tyler Floyd (1-0) got the start on the bump for Wesleyan and scattered three hits over four innings pitched, giving up no runs in the process. He claimed the win after just four innings as the contest was declared to be a bullpen by committee.

The Marlins would net two runs in the bottom half of the first to take an early lead. With consecutive walks to Justin Erby and Deon Hammond respectively and a double steal, Trey Hanchey would ground out to the shortstop, which allowed Erby to score and Hammond to advance to third. Brandon Kussmaul followed with a sharp liner down the right field line, which plated Hammond.

Kussmaul wouldn't be finished as he tacked on another RBI with a single through the infield, which allowed Hammond to score and advanced Randy Neisz to third in the bottom of the fifth. Methodist would give VWC another run in the inning after a failed pick-off attempt from Mark Stanford allowed Neisz to cross home plate.

Methodist would make some noise in the top of the ninth. With runners on first and third with one out, the Marlins turned a 6-3 double play to end the game. It was the fourth double play for the Marlin defense on the afternoon.

The Monarchs (6-7) were led by Lucas Scott and his two hits in the contest.

C.J. Lindsay, Jordan Spouse, and Kussmaul each tallied two hits, with the latter getting two RBI. Hammond scored twice. The pitching staff gave up zero runs on six hits through nine innings, with Methodist failing to get multiple hits in a single inning.

Virginia Wesleyan (7-4/1-1) hosts Guilford (9-6/1-1) Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. for the first of a two game series in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) action.