Softball | 3/21/2010 8:05:30 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist softball team recognized breast cancer survivors on Sunday in their first annual "Swing Pink Game." After a recognition ceremony, the Monarchs won 12-11 and lost 5-1 to Rutgers-Camden.

The Monarchs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in game one on a bases-clearing double from Jody Eyler. Rutgers-Camden came back with two runs in the second inning but Methodist went ahead 5-2 with a two-RBI double from Katie Byrd in the bottom of the inning.  The Raptors responded with two runs in the third, but Methodist rattled off five runs on six hits.

With Methodist ahead 10-4 after three innings, Rutgers-Camden scored a run in the fourth and three in the fifth to move within two runs. Byrd hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth off the top of the fence to give the Monarchs the 12-8 lead. The Raptors rallied with three runs in the sixth, but came up short 12-11.

Jordan Adams went 3-for-3 and Byrd finished 3-for-4 with six RBI. Eyler was 2-for-3 with three RBI.

Emily Beck pitched the first three innings for the Monarchs with Heather Anderson, Alex Bass, and Lysuelle Slaughter entering in relief. Anderson earned the win and Slaughter picked up a save.

In the second game, it was Rutgers-Camden who took the early lead with a run in the first inning. They added a run in the third before picking up three runs in the fifth to move ahead 5-0. Methodist rallied in the seventh when Alyssa Hara led off with a single and scored on a triple from Cortney Kerns. The Monarchs could not get another run across for the Raptors to finish with the 5-1 win.

Kerns went 2-for-3  with a RBI to lead the Monarchs. Alex Bass took the loss in 5.0 innings pitched. Slaughter finished in relief.

The Monarchs will travel to Greensboro on Tuesday for a doubleheader at 2 p.m.

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