FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader to Piedmont on Saturday afternoon at Price Field.
 
The Lions (22-9, 12-2 USA South) broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the top of the seventh of game one for a 4-1 win, then shutout the Monarchs (4-22, 1-9) 6-0 in the nightcap.
 
Tied 0-0 in the fifth inning of the opener, the Lions broke through with the game's first run on an MU fielding error. The Green and Gold came back in the bottom of the frame, tying the game at 1-1 on Alanna Anderson's single to right and subsequent error on the Lions that allowed Katelyn Howell to scamper home.
 
In the seventh Laura Carter made it 2-1 with a single to left, and PC made it 4-1 on a fielding error by the Monarchs that allowed two runs to score.
 
Emily Hester pitched well but was saddled with the loss. She allowed four runs (1 ER) on five hits and two walks with a strikeout in 7.0 innings in falling to 1-6 on the season. Melissa Eckman earned the win, giving up one run (0 ER) on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 7.0 innings.
 
Anderson, Kelsey Harrington and Ashely Benge all singled for MU. Coker was 2-for-4 to lead the Lions. Allyson Gentry and Audrey Esakoff were both 1-for-3 with a run for Piedmont.
 
In the nightcap, Avery Migues tossed a two-hit shutout. She allowed two hits and a walk with two strikeouts.
 
Hannah Hoban opened the scoring in the third with an RBI single to right that scored Carter. PC's lead grew to 3-0 as Abby Smith hit an RBI double and the Lions added their final run of the frame on a groundout.
 
Allison Vaughn added a two-run single in the fifth, and Linsey Link scored on a double-steal attempt in the sixth.
 
Nicole Heinrich took the loss, allowing six runs (3 ER) on 10 hits and two walks in 7.0 innings. She struck out one. Kristen Bailly accounted for both of MU's base hits, finishing 2-for-3.
 
Smith was 4-for-4 with an RBI and a pair of runs for the Lions. Vaughn finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Hoban was 1-for-3 with a walk, one run driven in and an RBI.
 
Methodist hosts William Peace in a doubleheader on Tuesday beginning at 5:00 pm.