FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist softball drop two games at Price Field, on Friday afternoon, to non-conference opponent Messiah University after the Monarchs were on the losing end of a pitcher's duel, 1-0, and came up short of a comeback attempt in extras, 8-5.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Messiah def. Methodist, 1-0; Messiah def. Methodist, 8-5 (8 Inns.)
Records: Methodist 3-5; Messiah 2-0
Location: Price Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Game 1 saw Methodist starter Brittany Jones and the Falcons incumbent Madison Walter throw two masterful games. Jones went all seven innings giving up only one hit, one run, two walks, and four strikeouts. Walter's line was seven innings, zero runs, two hits, one walk, and five strikeouts.
- The only run of the game came in the top of the first off a sacrifice bunt. Once the bunt was laid down and thrown to first, the runner at second came around third and sprinted home to score.
- After going scoreless in the first contest of the doubleheader, the Monarchs would get on the board, in Game 2, during the bottom half of inning one as Kayleigh Raynor hit the ball to left field to drive in Bethany Junker.
- Messiah eventually took over the lead for a 4-1 advantage heading to the bottom of the sixth. Madison Sanchez came up big for Methodist in the inning as she sent a hit through the left side to bring in one run then later kept herself alive enough in a run down to allow the Monarchs to score two more runs to tie it 4-4.
- In the eighth, the Falcons came around four times while Methodist scored once to finish the game.
NUMBERS
- Just like in the first contest, Messiah got another complete game performance from their starter, Lydia Collison. Her line was eight innings, six hits, five runs (four earned), three walks, and eight strikeouts.
- Raynor and Rebekah Haigler were the only Monarchs to get hits in both games.
UP NEXT
Starting on Saturday, Methodist will participate in the annual Grand Slam Triangle Softball classic as they take on Alma College at 10 AM before playing Shenandoah University at 3 PM.