FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Hosting Ferrum for the first home games of the 2024 season, the Methodist softball team brought the excitement in a doubleheader sweep over the Panthers on Sunday. The Monarchs protected a lead to win the first contest, then came from behind to snag a walk-off, eighth-inning victory in game two.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Methodist def. Ferrum, 8-5; Methodist def. Ferrum, 9-8 (8 Inns.)
Records: Methodist 4-4; Ferrum 0-4
Location: Price Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
- The Monarchs erupted for five hits in the first inning, generating four runs before anyone was called out. Back-to-back doubles by Rachel Blanchard and Grace Hobbs delivered two runs each. In the bottom of the second, Blanchard and Alyssa Rivas both logged a sacrifice fly that scored one run apiece, putting Methodist ahead 6-0.
- The Panthers loaded the bases in the fourth inning, but starting pitcher Kiersten Margoupis worked her way out of the jam to keep Ferrum scoreless through four. She conceded just one run in the fifth before the Panthers exploded for four runs on four hits in the sixth, sneaking within one run of the Monarchs.
- Methodist answered in the bottom of the sixth with two more scores to add insurance to the lead, and after allowing two hits to the first two batters she faced in the top of the seventh, Margoupis rattled off three consecutive strikeouts to seal the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
- Methodist attacked in the bottom of the first once again, posting five runs – three of which were credited to Madison Sanchez, who tripled to left-center field with the bases loaded. This time, the Panthers had a forceful response, scoring four runs in the second inning (after drawing five walks) and another four runs in the third (all unearned) to take an 8-5 lead.
- Margoupis – the winning pitcher from Sunday's first contest – took to the pitcher's circle again in the top of the fourth (Methodist's fourth pitcher of the outing). She tossed a clean frame before the Monarch hitters came to her aid in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs (including two off a Haley Downes double) to tie the game at 8-8.
- For the next three innings, pitchers dueled as Margoupis struck out three batters and allowed just one hit, while Ferrum's Kylie Atkins earned two strikeouts and conceded two hits. The teams took their 8-8 standoff into an extra inning.
- Holding the Panthers scoreless in the top of the eighth, the Monarchs began the bottom of the inning with Deven Wenger pinch running on second base (due to the international tiebreaker rule). A sac bunt by Sanchez moved Wenger to third, and a walk-off single up the middle by Rivas brought the winning run across the plate.
NUMBERS
- Margoupis was the winning pitcher of both contests, as the sophomore tossed a total of nine strikeouts on the day.
- Rachel Blanchard was responsible for the first RBI in both games, and the sophomore finished the day 3-for-6 at the plate with five RBIs, two doubles and two runs scored.
- Batting from the leadoff position, Hannah Lovick produced five hits and one walk in eight total at-bats, finishing the day with an on base percentage of .750. She crossed home on four occasions.
UP NEXT
Remaining at home for their next action, the Monarchs will host Guilford on Saturday (March 2) for a doubleheader beginning at noon.
