Softball | 3/2/2009 8:29:43 PM

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Methodist softball escaped the winter weather at the Rebel Games in Florida, but lost 4-3 to Widener and 2-0 to Muskingum to begin the tournament.

In the first game of the day, Widener scored two runs in the second inning and two runs in the third to take a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, Methodist's Tabatha Stephenson hit a triple and Kayla Talbert picked up the RBI for Stephenson to score the Monarchs' first run of the game. Methodist tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh when Jody Eyler picked up two RBI with two outs, but the Monarchs could not score the tying run as Widener won 4-3. Emily Beck pitched the first three innings for Methodist while Alex Bass finished in the circle. Eyler finished 2-for-3 at the plate while Talbert and Crystal Metzger were both 2-for-4.

Methodist came back and loaded the bases in the top of the first inning against Muskingum but it was the Muskies who scored first with a run in the bottom of the inning. They went ahead 2-0 in the second with a solo home run. The Monarchs had bases loaded in the seventh but Muskingum held on for the shutout. Lesley Hewitt pitched the complete game for Methodist scattering four hits with six strikeouts.

The Monarchs will continue at the Rebel Games on Tuesday when they face Rochester Institute of Technology and Eastern Mennonite.