Softball | 3/5/2012 12:38:00 AM

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Methodist softball team has never shied away from top competition and proved it on Sunday in the first two days of the Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Fla. The Monarchs took a 9-0 loss to the No. 13 Coast Guard Academy before bouncing back to an 8-5 win in extra innings over No. 22 Hiram College.

The Coast Guard jumped on top early with a three-run home run in the first inning and added a run in the second to go along with four runs in the fourth. Their offense topped things off with another home run in the fifth to lead 9-0. Marcy McKee drew a walk in the bottom of the fifth and Katie Scheller prevented the no-hitter with a single to keep the Monarchs going, but the Bears picked up two more strikeouts to secure the 9-0 win.

Scheller led the Monarchs going 1-for-1 as a pinch hitter. Jessica Farmer took the loss in the circle.

Hiram scored first in game two with an unearned run in the fourth, but Methodist tied it up in the sixth. Katie Scheller singled and moved to second after Marcy McKee reached on an error. Ally Griffin walked to load the bases and Erica Bradley came through with the sacrifice fly to score Scheller. The Terriers had two base runners in the seventh but Kayla Malone had a crucial strikeout to hold the tie. Neither team could rally sending the game to extra innings.

The Monarchs came up big in the eighth inning rallying for seven runs on three hits to go along with two defensive errors. Trailing 8-1, Hiram didn't go quietly and used a big home run to cut the lead to three, but another third out strikeout sealed the 8-5 win.

Scheller went 2-for-2 in the game and Griffin was 2-for-3 while Jordan Adams was 2-for-5. Malone earned the win in the circle.

Methodist will be back in action on Monday with games against Beloit and Widener.

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