FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Methodist softball team broke is losing streak on Tuesday night, splitting a pair of games with the visiting Pacers of William Peace University. The Monarchs fell, 11-8, in the first game of the night before picking up an 8-3 come-from-behind win in the nightcap.
In game one, the Pacers (22-10, 11-5 USA South) exploded for six runs in the top of the first including a two-RBI single by Lindsay Coley.
Methodist (5-23, 2-10 USA South) responded in the home half of the inning with a single run to make it 6-1, when Kristen Bailly doubled to right field to score Morgan Faircloth, who reached on a single through the right side.
An RBI double by Alanna Anderson in the second made the score 6-2 and after two scoreless innings, the Monarchs came within one, 6-5, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth. A fielder's choice by Kelsey Harrington allowed Anderson, who led off with a single to right, to score before Bailly sent a single up the middle to score Harrington and Katelyn Howell.
William Peace pulled away in the sixth, tallying four runs on five hits to give the visiting team a 10-5 advantage.
Methodist attempted to rally, but failed, scoring its final three runs on an error by WPU's pitcher and a two-RBI single by Harrington.
Bailly finished 3-for-3 with three RBI and Faircloth was 3-for-4 with a run scored. Harrington went 1-for-4 with three RBI and a scored run while Anderson finished 3-for-3 with an RBI and scored twice.
Nicole Heinrich (2-9) took the loss, pitching the first 1.2 innings and giving up six runs on eight hits. Sydney Foland pitched the next 0.2 innings and allowed a run and one hit before Hannah Key finished out the last 4.2 innings and allowed four runs (3 ER) on eight hits.
Morgan Farmer (13-3) earned the win for the Pacers in game one, tossing the first 6.1 innings and allowed five runs on nine hits with four strikeouts.
Down 3-0 in the third inning in game two, the Monarchs got on the board when Savannah Dunn scored on the Pacers' throw to catch Heather Williams steal second.
The Monarchs tied things up, 3-3, in the fourth with an RBI single by Alyson Aycock and a sacrifice fly by Ashley Benge before tallying the go-ahead run in the fifth when Harrington grounded out to third, scoring Williams.
In the bottom of the sixth, Methodist exploded for four runs, all coming with two outs on the board. After Howell grounded out to third, Dunn bunted for a single and then was pushed to second with a single to right by Williams. A groundout by Faircloth advanced the runners and a wild pitch allowed Dunn to score. A single through the right side by Harrington plated Williams for a 6-3 Monarch lead before Bailly singled to right field, bringing Harrington home, before advancing to second on the throw. Kirsten Emrich was put in as a pinch runner for Bailly and a double to right center by Anderson scored her, serving as the last run scored for MU and the eventual winning score of 8-3.
Williams finished 4-for-4 with two scored runs and Anderson was 3-for-4 with an RBI and one run scored. Dunn went 2-for-3 and scored twice, while Bailly was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Christine Bowman (1-3) earned the win after pitching the final 5.1 innings in relief for starting pitcher, Emily Hester, allowing no runs and just one hit with two strikeouts. Hester tossed the first 1.2 innings and gave up three runs on two hits.
Lindsey Wiggins (0-1) went the distance for William Peace, tossing all 6.0 innings and allowing eight runs on 13 hits with three strikeouts.
The Monarchs will travel to LaGrange, Ga. on Saturday to compete in a doubleheader against fellow USA South member LaGrange College beginning at 12:00 pm.
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