Softball | 3/5/2009 7:10:35 PM

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Methodist Monarchs' softball team split another day at the Rebel Games as they lost 2-0 to Catholic University before defeating Neumann College 5-2.

In the first game of the day, the Cardinals took the 1-0 lead in the first inning. Catholic added a run in the top of the seventh on a solo home run.  Methodist tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh on hits from Maggie Gaines and Crystal Metzger, but the Cardinals pulled off a double play to get out of a jam.

Jessica Pridgen started in the circle while Emily Beck entered in relief to pitch two and a third scoreless innings. Jennie Price finished up in the seventh inning. Kayla Talbert and Sara Poling also added hits for Methodist.

Methodist regrouped in game two to defeat Neumann College, the team who knocked the Monarchs out of the NCAA Tournament last season. Thursday afternoon Methodist scored three runs in the top of the third to take the first lead. Cortney Kerns led off with a walk and stole second. Crystal Metzger got a hit up the middle for Kerns to advance to third. Brittany Melton hit a sacrifice fly to center field for Kerns to score. After a ground out, Jody Eyler drew the walk and Caline Daun came on to pinch run. Poling singled into left for Metzger to score and a fly ball from Alex Bass allowed Daun to score.

The Knights scored a run in the bottom of the third on a sacrifice fly from Angela Sebasto. Methodist added two runs in the top of the sixth when Bass led off with a single through the left side. Ambrosia Fenwick entered to pinch run and Darci Martin singled up the middle. Kristina Wolfrom hit a double to right center for Fenwick to score. Kerns slapped one back off the pitcher for Martin to score the Monarchs' fifth run. Neumann loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, but Lesley Hewitt came on to pitch and struck out Gabrielle Lulias to get out of the inning. Sebasto hit a solo home run in the seventh, but Methodist finished with the 5-2 win. Bass started for the Monarchs to get the win while Hewitt came on in relief.

The Monarchs finish up at the Rebel Games on Friday against Maryville Univeresity and Misericordia University.