Softball | 3/17/2010 7:50:06 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist softball team opened USA South Athletic Conference play with two dominant wins over N.C. Wesleyan 12-8 and 9-1.

N.C. Wesleyan scored first in game one, but the Monarchs came back and scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning capped off by a two-RBI double by Katie Byrd. The Bishops cut the lead to one in the top of the third inning, but Methodist extended their lead to 8-3 in the fifth inning. N.C. Wesleyan rattled off five hits for five runs in the top of the sixth to move within one yet again, but a three-run home from Darci Martin in the bottom of the inning helped propel the Monarchs to the 12-8 win.

Jody Eyler was 3-for-4 at the plate while Martin finished 2-for-4 with four RBI. Heather Anderson earned the win in 4.2 innings pitched and Lysuelle Slaughter finished in relief.

The Monarchs picked up where they left off in game two jumping out to the 3-0 lead in the first inning. Eyler hit a sacrifice fly to score Jordan Adams in the third and the Monarchs went ahead 4-0. Three additional runs scored in the fourth to give Methodist the 7-0 lead after five. The Bishops got on the board in the top of the sixth with a run, but the Monarchs finished the game with two runs in the sixth  with a RBI-triple from Kimber Hall and a RBI-single from Martin to win 9-1.

Eyler went 2-for-2 with five RBI. Byrd and Martin had two hits a piece. Alex Bass pitched the complete game win giving up just four hits with 12 strikeouts.

The Monarchs will travel to Christopher Newport on Saturday for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.

Box Score 1
Box Score 2