Softball | 3/11/2014 7:21:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- The Methodist softball team dropped a pair of games at N.C. Wesleyan on Tuesday afternoon. Game scores were 5-4 in eight innings, and later 8-3 in the nightcap.
 
In the opener, the Monarchs trailed by a 3-1 margin through five completed innings, but tied up the game, 3-3, in their turn to bat in the sixth.
 
Following an Ally Griffin popout to begin the frame, Natalie High doubled, and Krista Zentner singled to shortstop to put runners on first and third with one out. Marcy McKee then drove home pinch runner Gabby Howard with a sacrifice fly to left field, which advanced Zentner to second base.
 
Now with two down and the Monarchs trailing 3-2, Kelsey Harrington singled home Zentner and the game remained knotted up after seven innings.
 
In Methodist's turn to bat in extra innings, Harrington once again provided a two-out RBI, this time a double to left-center to plate Griffin, which put the Monarchs in the lead, 4-3.
 
The Bishops came to hit in the bottom of the eighth, and proceeded to load the bases via a Kendra Hoes walk and Kayla North bunt single. With no outs and the score 4-3 in favor of Methodist, Brittany Manning coaxed a bases-loaded walk against Monarch pitcher Sarah Stapleton to bring home the tying run.
 
The bases were still packed when Jessica Hodges reached on a fielder's choice, but Stapleton fielded the batted ball and got the force at home for the first out. The next hitter Tiffany Manning, however, ended the game with a bases-loaded walk to bring home North from third.
 
Harrington went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI for Methodist, and Stapleton added two singles. Emily Hester was tagged with the loss as she gave up two runs in an inning of work in the pitcher's circle.
 
Brittni Jones batted 3-for-4 and scored a run for N.C. Wesleyan, and Paige Prichett hit a three-run double. Leanna Fann (4-3) earned the complete-game victory as she threw 8.0 innings. Fann gave up 12 hits, four runs and one walk and struck out two.
 
In the nightcap, the Battling Bishops (9-9) touched up Monarch (3-14) game two starter Brittany Miller for a combined five runs in the second and third innings to cruise to an 8-3 win.
 
Stapleton again had two hits for Methodist, which finished with seven base knocks for the game. Miller took the loss as he went 3.0 innings and surrendered five hits, five runs and four walks.
 
Carly Creef batted a perfect 3-for-3 for N.C. Wesleyan, and Maria Seay and Tiffany Manning each had two base hits. Jasmine Edgren (4-3) went the full seven innings for the win. She gave up seven hits, three runs and two walks and struck out one.
 
The Monarchs play next on Saturday when Mary Baldwin visits Monarch Field for a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2:00 pm.