Softball | 2/15/2009 7:59:07 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Monarchs struggled through their season opener, falling to Birmingham-Southern 6-0 and 11-0.

The Panthers (4-0) jumped on Methodist (0-2) early with two runs in the top of the first inning. Junior Crystal Metzger drew a leadoff walk in the second inning and advanced to third, but was left stranded.  Birmingham-Southern added a run in the top of the third before sophomore Maggie Gaines got the first hit of the day for the Monarchs in the bottom of the inning.  Metzger drew another walk in the fourth and freshman Alex Bass singled to move Metzger to third. The inning ended with runners on first and third while the Panthers added three runs in the seventh. Senior Sara Poling tried to spark a rally in the seventh with a single to left, but the Panthers finished with the 6-0 win.

Senior Lesley Hewitt went the distance in the circle for the Monarchs scattering seven hits with one strikeout. Melissa Muehlenfeld pitched the three-hit shutout for Birmingham-Southern.

The Panthers took the early lead in game two with four runs on four hits.  They added two runs in the second and another in the third while scoring two runs in the fourth.  The Monarchs drew walks in each of the first three innings, before senior Kayla Talbert picked up the only hit of the day to lead off the fourth with a single through the left side. Talbert moved to third on a groundout and passed ball, but the Birmingham-Southern recorded the final out to preserve the shutout. The Panthers added two insurance runs in the top of the fifth while the Monarchs came up empty to take the 11-0 loss.

Junior Emily Beck and freshmen Bass and Jessica Pridgen spent time in the circle with Beck picking up the loss. Tori Harris went the complete game for the Panthers.

The Monarchs will look to regroup next Saturday at 1:30 pm when they host Guilford College.

Box Score 1
Box Score 2