FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Visiting Averett University held the Monarchs at bay as the Cougars grabbed both games of a USA South Athletic Conference doubleheader against Methodist softball Tuesday afternoon. Averett won the first game, 3-1, and used a late surge to take command of Game 2, 11-4.

In Game 1, a two-run homer in the third inning was the difference in the game. Bethany Jones pitched well, giving up just six hits and two earned runs over seven innings in the circle.

In Game 2, the Monarchs' offense came alive with a four-run fourth inning that tied the game at 4-4. Methodist reeled off five consecutive singles (not including a hit by pitch) to score three runners while an Averett error scored the game-tying run. Unfortunately, the Cougars had a five-run eruption in the sixth inning to help secure the sweep.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Averett def. Methodist, 3-1; Averett def. 11-4
Records: Methodist 9-9 (0-2 USA South), Averett 8-2 (2-0)
Location: Don Price Field; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Maria Kollar and Taylor Jacobs led off the fourth inning of Game 2 with consecutive base hits. Jordyn Propst scored Kollar from second with her RBI-single and Reagan Parks and Bethany Junker followed up with RBI-singles of their own after Sara Darling was hit by a pitch.
• With the game tied and the bases loaded with no outs, the Monarchs were unable to generate any more runs and the three runners were left stranded.
• A passed ball allowed the Cougars to retake the lead in the fifth and then came the five-run outburst, headlined by a three-run homerun to left center.
• Kelsey Smith registered the only Methodist RBI in the first game when she singled up the middle to score Sarah Davis from second base in the fifth inning.
• A two-run blast from Kaitlyn Aherron in the third inning of Game 1 stood as the winning runs. Aherron previously recorded a sacrifice fly that scored the Cougar's first run.
• With eight runners left on base in Game 1, Methodist had a few favorable opportunities to cross more runners. The Monarchs had runners on second and third in the first inning, runners on the corners with no outs in the second, and runners on second and third in the third, as well.

STAT FACTS

• In Game 1, the Monarchs left eight stranded, double the amount the Cougars left on base.
• The number of runners left on base for Methodist was even larger for the second game as 13 Monarchs were stranded, including seven in scoring position.
• Smith, Propst, and Parks each recorded two hits in the second game. 
• Jacobs drew a team-high two walks in the first game. In Game 2, she had a hit and a walk.
• Smith and Kollar were the only Monarchs to register a hit in both games.
• Hannah Thompson had five hits on the day for Averett, a team-high.

UP NEXT

• It is another conference home doubleheader for Methodist as the Monarchs host Brevard College to Don Price Field on Saturday, March 14. Games scheduled for 12 and 2 p.m.
• Averett travels to Roanoke College for a non-conference doubleheader Thursday, March 12 with games scheduled for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.