FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Methodist softball team opened its 2015 season with two mercy-rule wins, 10-2, 11-0, over the visiting Owls of U-Maine Presque Isle. On the season, the Monarchs move to 2-0 while the Owls fall to 0-2.
 
The Monarchs were the first on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff batter Sarah Stapleton singled through the left side and advanced to second and then third off a passed ball and a wild pitch, and two batters later Lindsay Tippett doubled to right center, bringing Stapleton home for a 1-0 advantage in Methodist's favor. The next batter, Kristen Bailly sent her first collegiate home run flying to right-center field, bringing in Tippett for a 3-0 lead. 
 
After a three-up, three-down top of the second, Tippett brought the scoreboard to 5-0 in MU's favor with a two-run home run, bringing home Morgan Faircloth, who had reached on a single. 
 
The Monarchs reached the minimum for the mercy-rule in the bottom of the third, scoring five runs to push the lead to 10-0.
 
Monica Revels picked up the win for the Monarchs, and was nearly flawless in her collegiate debut. She allowed just two runs (0 ER) on two hits with a walk and a strikeout it 5.0 innings. The Owls' first hit of the contest did not come until the fifth inning.
 
Maine Presque Isle was able to get on the board in the top of the fifth inning, when Shannon Brown reached first base and then advanced to second on consecutive Monarch errors. Dani Smith sent a single up the middle, and a Nicole Marucci ground out to third base advanced both runners 90 feet. The next batter, Kathryn Patenaude, was thrown out at first, but an error by Methodist allowed Brown to reach home plate, putting the scoreboard at 10-1.UMPI's pitcher, Sarah Packard, drove home Smith on an RBI double for the Owls' final run.
 
For Methodist, Tippett went 3-for-3 with three RBI, a double and a home run, and Stapleton finished 2-for-3 with one RBI. Heather Williams added three RBI and Bailly added two with one home run. 
 
Smith and Brown were the only two Owls to record runs, with one apiece. Packard and Patenaude each added one RBI. 
 
Sarah Packard took the loss for UMPI, pitching for 4.0 innings and allowing 13 hits and 10 runs (8 ER). 
 
In the nightcap, the Monarchs put the heat on once more, blanking the Owls 11-0.
 
A heavy-scoring first inning for Methodist gave the home tean an early 8-0 lead. Methodist benefited from a pair of errors, gaining a 3-0 lead, and three straight hits from the Monarchs pushed their lead to 7-0. Allyson Aycock capped the inning's scoring after reaching on an error by the Owls, driving Stapleton in to make it 8-0.
 
Following a Bailly ground out to begin the bottom of the second inning, Ally Griffin reached base with a single through the left side, and advanced on a Alanna Anderson base knock up the middle. Griffin was pushed to third after Britnie Adams reached on a fielder's choice. Kristen Markow brought Griffin home on the next play, singling to left field, giving the Monarchs a 9-0 advantage.
 
Methodist concluded the scoring for the day in the bottom of the third, scoring two off a Griffin single and a Cayley Oldham ground out, putting the final score at 11-0.
 
Griffin was 3-for-3 for the game, adding one RBI and two runs. Both Stapleton and Markow went 2-for-3 for the Monarchs, with Stapleton tallying one RBI and Markow registering two. 
 
Carley Bell was the lone Owl to record one hit over the five innings played. 
 
Starting pitcher Nicole Heinrich earned the win for the Monarchs, allowing one hit in 3.0 innings and striking out six. Emily Hester pitched a hitless 2.0 innings to conclude the game, adding three strikeouts. 
 
Packard picked up her second loss of the season, allowing 11 hits and 11 runs, of which only three were earned. She walked three and struck out one.
 
Methodist continues play at home on Saturday as it hosts the Hornets of Lynchburg. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm. 
 
 
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