Softball | 2/26/2012 7:13:00 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist softball team wrapped up a busy weekend on Sunday taking a split against Roanoke College with a 6-5 win and 7-6 loss.

Methodist struck first in game one with Sarah Stapleton taking advantage of a defensive error to score an unearned run. The Monarchs held onto the narrow lead until the top of the fifth when Roanoke broke out for three runs. The Maroons added two in the sixth to lead 5-1, but the Monarchs battled back. With their backs against the wall needing four runs in the bottom of the seventh, Rachel Chapman was hit by a pitch to lead off. Krista Zentner singled back to the pitcher and Ally Griffin singled to left field to score pinch runner Annie Zaremski. Katie Scheller reached on an error that scored Zentner to cut the lead to two. Alex Winters grounded out to second base but after an error on the throw home to get Griffin, Scheller was able to to score the game-tying run. Unable to break the tie, the game went to extra innings and the Monarchs retired the first three batters.

Stapleton started the eighth on second and moved to third on a wild pitch. The Maroons opted to load the bases with intentional walks to Jordan Adams and Katie Byrd setting up pinch hitter Marcy McKee. McKee drove one into left center to score Stapleton easily and end the game.

Zentner went 2-for-4 in the game with six other players each tallying a hit. Jessica Farmer went seven innings in the circle with four strikeouts before Kayla Malone took the win in relief.

Roanoke tallied the first run of game two stringing together three hits in the top of the second. The Monarchs took the lead in the bottom of the inning. Zentner drew the lead-off walk, stole second and scored on Scheller's double to left center. Scheller moved to third on the throw home and scored on Mandi Wall's RBI single to right field for the 2-1 lead. The Maroons tied the game in the fourth, but Methodist came right back wiht three runs in the bottom of the inning. Zentner drew another walk and Griffin singled. Both runners advanced on Alex Winter's fielder's choice and Zentner scored. Wall and Stapleton followed up with singles before Adams had a RBI groundout to give Methodist the 5-2 lead.

The Maroons tied the game in the fifth capitalizing on a Methodist error and used two triples in the seventh to take the 7-5 lead. The Monarchs were set to rally again in the bottom of the seventh and Katie Byrd led off with a double to the fence in left center to start things off. Lindsay Tippett singled up the middle to score Byrd, but Roanoke got three quick outs to secure the 7-6 win.

Wall finished 2-for-2 with a RBI while Byrd was 2-for-4 in the game.

Malone went four innings scattering eight hits with a strikeout while Farmer and Ashley Shingleton finished in relief.

Methodist will take the road next week to compete at the Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Fla. Mar. 4-9.

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