Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director
Photo Credit: Thom Kennedy Instagram @thomkphoto
BREVARD, N.C. - Freshman Matthew Scavotto dazzled in five innings of relief, but the Brevard College Tornados Baseball team (6-23, 1-19 USAS) narrowly fell to the No. 21 Methodist Monarchs (24-6, 14-4 USAS), 4-1, in the series finale of a USA South Conference three-game series.
Scavotto came on to pitch in the fourth inning and went the rest of the way for the Tornados. The Charlotte, N.C. native allowed just one hit and two walks over the course of his five-inning relief appearance.
Bryce Foster (1-3) earned the start for the Tornados, lasting three innings while allowing four earned runs on six hits.
Freshman catcher Matthew Kelley went 2-for-4 at the plate, recording his fourth double of 2019. Holden Lanier scored a run and hit a double in his 1-for-3 outing, while Brae Wooten tallied an RBI on a sacrifice fly along with two walks.
The nationally-ranked Monarchs took advantage of four Tornado errors in the contest.
Methodist got on the scoreboard first, scoring on a Brevard throwing error in the second inning m to take an early 1-0 lead. Foster and the Tornados were able to limit the damage in the inning, catching Methodist's Rob Wilkerson stealing to end the scoring threat.
Brevard was able to level the contest, 1-1, in the top of the third inning when Lanier's leadoff double came around to score on Wooten's sacrifice fly.
Sunday's contest didn't stay tied for much longer, as the Monarchs used an RBI double, sacrifice fly, and an RBI sac-bunt to take the decisive 4-1 lead.
BC was able to string together a serious scoring threat in the top of the fourth inning, however, the Tornado offense left the bases loaded, as the Monarchs worked their way out of the jam.
Scavotto was able to sit the first five batters that he faced down before giving up his only hit of the contest in the bottom of the fifth inning. The freshman worked extremely efficient through the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to keep the Monarchs at bay.
Wooten and Donny Carsillo drew back-to-back walks on Methodist reliever Tyler Brown to begin the top of the eighth inning. Despite the early baserunners, the Tornado offense was neutralized with two fielder's choices and a fly out.
BC went down 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth inning, as Brown's first save of the season secured Methodist's series-sweep over Brevard.
The Tornados will return home for their last home series of 2018 as they square off with Covenant College (12-18, 5-12 USAS) in a three-game conference series at Gil Coan Field. Game one is set to take place on Friday, April 12 at 3 p.m., with games two and three to be played on Saturday, April 13 at 12 and 3 p.m. Saturday will mark Senior Day for the BC Baseball program.
To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, subscribe to 'Brevard College Tornados'' on YouTube, follow 'Brevard College Tornados' on SoundCloud, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.
-30-