WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Methodist softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Salem on Sunday. The Monarchs were defeated in game one, 2-1, before falling 9-6 in the second contest.
With the results, the Monarchs are now 4-20 on the season with a 1-7 mark in league play. Meanwhile, the Spirits improve to 18-9 overall behind a 10-2 conference mark and have now won eight-consecutive games.
In the first game, MU was first to score after
Samantha Jacobs led off the game with a single before stealing second base. She eventually came around to score on a ball hit by
Hannah Key, 1-0. That was the lone run until the fourth inning when SC scored on a two-out RBI single, 1-1. Neither side was able to break the tie until the Spirits scored on a walk-off base hit with one out in the bottom of the seventh, 2-1.
Aly Thomas was saddled with the loss after throwing all 6.1 innings for the Monarchs. She yielded two runs on nine hits. Sydney Vaughn scattered four hits and allowed just one run with five strikeouts in a complete-game victory.
Jacobs was 2 for 3 at the plate with a run scored, while Key recorded an RBI and a hit.
Jessica Orwick registered the other hit for MU in game one.
In the second half of the doubleheader, the Monarchs were first on the board again. Jacobs led off the game with a single and stole second, again, before beating a throw to the plate on a fielder's choice, 1-0. The Spirits responded in the bottom half of the frame with a three-run homer by Briana Crumley, which was her fifth of the season.
The Monarchs cut into the deficit in the third inning with one run. The inning started with a lead-off single by Orwick who moved to second on a sacrifice by
Chloe Hespeler. Orwick crossed home plate after
Allyson Aycock was hit by a pitch to make the score 3-2. MU took the lead in the following inning after
Morgan Faircloth reached on an error by the short stop.
Lori Martin came in as a runner for Faircloth and moved to third base after a single by Key. Orwick drew a walk to load the bases, who was replaced on a base paths by
Lauren Lane and Hespeler drove in two runs with a single, 4-3.
Breanna Herman tied the game with a home run in the fourth inning before the Monarchs responded with a run as
Savannah Dunn scored on a sacrifice fly. The Spirits plated five runs on four hits and took advantage of an error as they assumed a 9-5 lead entering the final inning. MU recorded one more run after Dunn came around to score on a wild pitch as the game ended with a score of 9-6.
Lindsey Champion was strapped with the loss after throwing the final 3.0 innings in the circle. She allowed six runs (4 ER) on six hits with a pair of walks. Hespeler started in the circle and scattered three hits and allowed three runs with two strikeouts and three walks. Vaughn recorded her second victory of the day after tossing 4.0 innings and yielding two runs (one ER) on just two hits with five striktouts.
Jacobs was 3 for 5 at the plate in game two with a run scored. Hespeler went 2 for 3 with two RBI, while
Emily Hester recorded two hits.
Methodist returns to action on Wednesday, March 22, with a doubleheader against N.C. Wesleyan at Price Field beginning at 3 pm.
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