Softball | 4/14/2012 5:51:00 PM

BURLINGTON, N.C. - The Methodist softball team avoided elimination in the morning with a 12-1 win over N.C. Wesleyan College, but Ferrum College mounted a seventh inning comeback in the Monarchs' second game of the day to knock off Methodist 4-3.

The Bishops (17-20) took an early 1-0 lead in the first when senior Meredith Mills blasted a solo shot to right-center. Methodist countered with four runs in the third, all with two outs, when Byrd's RBI-double was followed by a two-run single by Ally Griffin. The ensuing RBI-single by Alex Winters gave MU a 4-1 lead.

The three-run advantage was more than enough for Jessica Farmer, who picked up the win in the circle. The Monarchs added an insurance run in the fourth before exploding for seven runs in the fifth. Byrd capped the rally with a two-run homer to right-center.

Farmer (13-7) allowed one run on six hits over five complete, while NCWC's Leanna Fann (11-9) gave up 12 runs (seven earned) on 15 hits.

Katie Byrd went 2-for-4 with a double, homerun and three RBIs to pace the Monarchs offensively. Jordan Adams and Alex Winters were 2-for-2 while Megan Lee and Erica Bradley were 2-for-3. Griffin finished 2-for-4.

The No. 3 Ferrum Panthers rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh inning and held on for a 4-3 win in the afternoon game. The Panthers (30-11) strung together four hits and an error as they rallied from a 2-0 deficit.

But Methodist (26-15) rallied in the bottom of the seventh. Lindsay Tippett drove in her third run of the game with a two-out single to cut the margin to 4-3. Katie Byrd reached on an error to load the bases but Rachel Shumaker (8-2) escaped with the win when she got a grounder to end the game.

Methodist scored their first run of the game in the third inning after Tippett drove in Erica Bradley who reached on a lead-off walk. Jordan Adams singled and Marcy McKee drew a walk to load the bases setting up the RBI. The Monarchs went ahead 2-0 in the fifth when Adams was hit by a pitch and Megan Lee sacrificed her to second. Adams moved to third on a groundout and scored on Tippett's single to right field.

Tippett finished 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI. Adams and Byrd had the other two Methodist hits.

Kayla Malone went six innings in the circle with three strikeouts while Farmer finished in relief.

Methodist will be back in action on Wednesday when they host Virginia Wesleyan at Monarch Field.

Box Score 1
Box Score 2