FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist softball had some late inning magic in both USA South Athletic Conference games versus Mary Baldwin University on Saturday afternoon. The Monarchs would walk it off 5-4 in the first game before walking off the second 4-3 to sweep the Fighting Squirrels at Price Field.
With the two wins, the team cracks 20 victories for the season, which is the first time since the 2013 season that Methodist has reached that many wins in a single-season.
Today was also senior day for the Monarchs and before they games Methodist honored their four graduating seniors (
Bri Caton,
Brittany Jones,
Bethany Junker, and
Liz Schmitz).
THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Methodist def. Mary Baldwin 5-4; Methodist def. Mary Baldwin 4-3
Records: Methodist 20-19 (12-6 USA South); Mary Baldwin 9-26-1 (4-14)
Location: Price Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Mary Baldwin got on the board first just three batters into Game 1, as a two-run homer by Fighting Squirrels put them up 2-0. Haley Fethke helped get one of those runs back, in the fourth inning, with a solo blast over the left field fence.
- The fifth saw Mary Baldwin double their score, 4-1, with a single to drive in one run and then the Monarchs throwing the ball around the diamond to allow another.
- Madison Sanchez made it a one-run ball game, 4-3, in the sixth with her two RBI single. In the bottom of the seventh, Methodist eventually got the bases when senior Bethany Junker came up to the plate.
- Junker was able to draw a walk to force one run in and tie the score up. The very next Monarch batter, Kayleigh Raynor, completed the comeback by hitting a single to drive in the winning-run.
- Game 2 once again saw the Fighting Squirrels take the early lead by scoring one run in the top of the first. The bottom of the first witnessed some control issues by Mary Baldwin as their starting pitcher gave up five free passes (four walks and a hit by pitch) within the first six Methodist batters. This allowed the Monarchs to take a 2-1 advantage.
- After the first, neither side was able to produce any runs until the seventh. The Fighting Squirrels got a runner into scoring position on a triple to left field. Following an infield single and an intentional walk to load bases, Mary Baldwin had back-to-back singles to score two runs and take a 4-3 lead.
- Grace Hobbs led off the bottom of the seventh for the Monarchs and drew a walk. Afterwards Denna Ayers came in to pinch run for Hobbs and Ayers would get to third base thanks to a couple of wild pitches.
- Methodist tied the game 4-4 off an RBI double by Haven Williams. The Monarchs went on to walk it off again as Raynor was the hero once more with an RBI single.
Stat Facts
- Methodist had solid performances by pitchers Jones and Alyssa Barwick. Jones threw in game one and went the distance giving up four runs on seven hits, while striking out a career-high 12 batters. Also going all seven was Barwick as she allowed three runs on eight hits, while recording three strikeouts and three walks.
- Raynor had the best day at the plate with a .500 average (3 for 6) in the two games combined to go along with two RBIs. Williams was the only other Monarchs to register a hit in both games.
UP NEXT
This concludes the regular season for Methodist and they have qualified for the upcoming USA South Athletic Conference Softball Tournament. The Monarchs will be the four seed, in the east, and are set to host the five seed in the east North Carolina Wesleyan. The day and time for the contest has not been set yet.
