FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Facing its first USA South opponent of the season, the Methodist softball team narrowly suffered defeat in the opening game of Sunday's doubleheader versus Mary Baldwin before claiming a 6-3 victory in game two.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Mary Baldwin def. Methodist, 4-3; Methodist def. Mary Baldwin, 6-3
Records: Methodist 11-9 (1-1 USA South); Mary Baldwin 6-9 (1-1 USA South)
Location: Price Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1

• Methodist and Mary Baldwin had traded just one hit each heading into the bottom of the third inning still tied at 0-0. With two outs and Laney Ayres on third base, Rachel Blanchard stepped up to the plate and smashed a two-run homer that bounced off a tree behind the center-field fence.
• Minnie Johnson was next in the order, driving a triple down the right-field line. An infield single by Sydney Sizemore sent Johnson across home, making Methodist's lead 3-0.
• The Fighting Squirrels produced two unearned runs in the fifth inning, benefiting from a Methodist error. The Monarchs had no answer, then in the top of the seventh, Mary Baldwin recorded four hits that led to two more runs. Methodist was unable to return fire in the bottom of the seventh, succumbing to the one-run loss.

HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2

• With one out and runners on second and third, Alyssa Rivas laid down a bunt to try and squeeze Alexandra Edwards into home, but Edwards was thrown out.
• Taking advantage of two errors by the Monarchs, Mary Baldwin scored the first run of the game in the top of the second inning. In the bottom of the second, Methodist's first three batters all singled to load the bases for Ayres, who drew a walk. With the score tied at 1-1, Edwards produced a sacrifice fly that scored Haley Downes, then Blanchard singled to score Amanda Blackburn.
• Mary Baldwin loaded the bases in the top of the fifth before scoring two runs to tie the game at 3-3. In the bottom of the inning, the Monarchs loaded the bases for Sizemore, who put the ball in play to score one run.
• Two at-bats later, Blackburn dropped a single into right field that scored two runs, giving Methodist a 6-3 advantage. Alyssa Barwick forced the final six Mary Baldwin batters into outs, securing the win.

 
NUMBERS

• Rachel Blanchard batted 5-for-8 on the day, including a double, a triple, and her first collegiate homerun. She also contributed three RBI and scored twice.
• Alyssa Barwick dealt four strikeouts while conceding just one earned run, earning her third victory of the season.
• Alexandra Edwards has reached base in 10 consecutive games, tied for the team lead in longest streak this season.

UP NEXT
Methodist takes on William Peace in Raleigh on Friday in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.