FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist softball team picked up a 3-2 win in game two of a doubleheader at N.C. Wesleyan to earn a split against the Battling Bishops on Saturday afternoon at Edge Field.
 
The Bishops (11-7, 4-2 USA South) picked up a 6-1 win in the opener, before MU (4-20, 2-4) held off NCWC to close out the day.
 
In the opener, Logan Lowery limited MU to one run on seven hits and four walks with nine strikeouts in 7.0 innings. The Bishops took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and then provided Lowery all the offense she would need with four runs in the bottom of the second. NCWC tacked on its sixth run in the third, before MU scored its lone run of the contest on a bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning.
 
Jordyn Propst (1-2) started for MU and was tagged for five runs on six hits in 1.1 innings. Miranda McKoy tossed the final 4.2 innings and gave up one run on six walk and two walks.
 
Carleigh Haywood and Ellie Gale each had a pair of base hits and a walk for the Monarchs.
 
Meredith Mize was 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs for the Bishops. Peyton Hyler added a pair of base hits and drove in two.
 
To close out the day, the Monarchs made three first-inning runs stand up and Searria Fisher picked up her first collegiate win with a solid pitching performance. Fisher allowed two runs on 10 hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 7.0 innings. She was also 2 for 3 at the plate with a walk and a run scored.
 
Kelsey Smith opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first that scored Fisher. Morgan Faircloth's bases-loaded walk made it 2-0, and Aly Thomas drove in the third run with a ground out for a 3-0 lead after a half inning.
 
The Bishops cut into the lead and put the score at 3-1 on Beth Braswell's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first. In the third inning, the Bishops inched closer, 3-2, on a fielder's choice.
 
Fisher worked out of several jams over the final four innings to give MU the win. The freshman left the bases loaded in the fifth inning, getting a groundout to shortstop for the third out. In the seventh, Hyler led off with a single for the Bishops. A fielder's choice retired Hyler, but put Braswell on first and she advanced to third base on Bowyer's single, who in turn moved up to second base on a throw to third base.
 
With two on and one out, Fisher induced a weak groundout to third for the second out, then punctuated the win with a strikeout of Nichole Mooney to end the contest.
 
Smith Finished 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run for MU.
 
For NCWC, Braswell took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 7.0 innings. She was also 2 for 3 at the plate with an RBI. Hyler and Mooney had two base hits apiece.
 
Methodist will play host to Mary Baldwin next Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at 1 pm.