Softball | 4/2/2013 6:45:00 PM

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Methodist softball team used a five-run fourth inning to escape with a 6-5 win over William Peace on Tuesday afternoon at Wachovia Field.
 
The Monarchs improved to 18-17 overall and 9-8 in the USA South, while the Pacers slipped to 7-25-1 overall and 6-11 in conference play.
 
Methodist struck first for a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Lindsay Tippett singled in Sarah Stapleton, who had singled to lead off the game and moved to third on a walk and a sacrifice bunt. The Pacers promptly answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning on a RBI single and a Monarch throwing error to take a 2-1 lead.
 
The score remained that way until the Monarchs broke out for five runs in the top of the fourth inning. Natalie High reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to third when Kelsey Harrington doubled to right. Kirsten Markow followed with another double that scored both runners and put MU up 3-2. With two outs, Markow, who had taken third on the throw when she doubled, scored on a passed ball for a 4-2 lead. Stapleton and Jordan Adams then hit back-to-back singles and Katie Byrd cleared the bases with base hit to right to give Methodist a 6-2 lead.
 
Peace nearly rallied, scoring three runs in the sixth inning, including a home run by Heather Dindinger and a two-run double by Anna Weavil, to pull within a run at 6-5. However, Jessica Farmer induced a groundout with the tying run on second to end the inning and preserve the lead. Farmer then worked around a pair of one-out base hits in the bottom of the seventh and got back-to-back groundouts to end the game.
 
Farmer picked up her 10th win in the circle, allowing five runs (4 ER) on 12 hits and two walks in seven innings. Kendra Yearick took the loss for the Pacers, giving up six runs on 10 hits and a walk with one strikeout in 3.2 innings.
 
Markow finished 2-for-3 with a run scored and two driven in for Methodist. Stapleton had two hits in four at bats and scored twice and Tippett finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.
 
Weavil was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a runs scored and Lindsey Haver, Morgan Bryant, and Dindinger all had two hits for Peace, which actually outhit the Monarchs, 12-10.
 
Game two of the doubleheader was postponed due to electrical issues and will be made up on Thursday at 5:00 pm.