LAURINBURG, N.C. -- The Methodist softball team was swept in a doubleheader by St. Andrews University on Tuesday afternoon in its season-opener.
 
The Knights (2-2) took game one 9-0 in six innings and followed that with a 4-0 win over the Monarchs (0-2) in the nightcap.
 
Chloe Hespeler started for the Monarchs in game one and was tagged with the loss (0-1) after allowing eight runs (7 ER) on 10 hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work. The Nikkie Santiago and Kori Ballard each had RBI singles in the first inning for SAU to spot the Knights to a 2-0 lead. Single runs in the third and fourth innings gave St. Andrews a 4-0 lead and the Knights were able to seal the game with five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring the game-clinching run on a wild pitch.
 
Morgan Faircloth doubled and walked for MU, and Carleigh Haywood added a base hit as well.
 
Ballard picked up the win with 4.0 shutout innings. She allowed just one hit and struck out two. Sarah Kate Brown pitched the final 2.0 innings, allowing one hit and two walks with a strikeout. Sam Lowder went 3 for 4 with three runs for St. Andrews and Breanna Broadway drove in two runs.
 
In the second game, Broadway limited MU to three hits in 7.0 innings. She walked five and struck out two in picking up the win. Aly Thomas (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs on 11 hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
 
Lexi Dawson singled in SAU's first run in the fourth inning and Ashlyn Dial added a two-run triple later in the innings for a 3-0 lead. Santiago drove in the game's final run with a groundout in the fifth.
 
Five different Knights recorded two base hits. Samantha Jacobs singled and walked for MU, and Thomas went 1 for 2 at the plate.
 
The Monarchs are back in action on Wednesday when they kick off seven straight home dates with a doubleheader against Guilford. First pitch is slated for 3:00 pm.