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Methodist University Athletics

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Rachel Blanchard in the outfield
1
Salem SAL 5-30, 2-15 USA So.
9
Winner Methodist MUSB 19-18, 9-8 USA So.
Salem SAL
5-30, 2-15 USA So.
1
Final
9
Methodist MUSB
19-18, 9-8 USA So.
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Salem SAL 0 0 0 0 1 1 7 4
Methodist MUSB 2 0 2 0 5 9 10 0

W: Barwick, Alyssa (5-8) L: C. Duffey (0-1)

5
Winner Salem SAL 6-30, 3-15 USA So.
2
Methodist MUSB 19-19, 9-9 USA So.
Winner
Salem SAL
6-30, 3-15 USA So.
5
Final
2
Methodist MUSB
19-19, 9-9 USA So.
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Salem SAL 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 5 8 2
Methodist MUSB 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 5 3

W: I. Morales (4-10) L: Haywood, Sarah (0-1) S: G. Pearce (2)

Game Recap: Softball | | Matthew Shealy

Blanchard Triples Twice, Monarchs Split with Spirits on Senior Day

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  With the final regular-season doubleheader on the line, the Methodist softball team took the field versus Salem College on Saturday, battling to a 1-1 split. The Monarchs ran away with the first game, winning 9-1 in five innings before suffering a 5-2 defeat in game two.
 
Prior to the first game, Methodist recognized six players as part of a Senior Day ceremony. Sarah Haywood, Taylor Clark, Alyssa Barwick, McKenzie Lanphear, Deanna Ayres and Sydney Sizemore were all honored.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Methodist def. Salem, 9-1 (5 inn.); Salem def. Methodist, 5-2
Records: Methodist 19-19 (9-9 USA South); Salem 6-30 (3-15 USA South)
Location: Price Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
  • Alyssa Barwick made quick work of the Spirits in the top of the first inning, striking out two. In the bottom of the inning, the Monarchs scored two runs – one on a sacrifice fly by Alyssa Rivas, and another on a Sydney Sizemore RBI single.
  • Methodist doubled its score in the third inning when Rachel Blanchard launched a ball deep into right field with one runner on base. She reached third with ease, then rounded the bag after an error on the relay from right, allowing her to score on the play.
  • Barwick got out of the fourth inning cleanly despite Salem loading the bases. In the top of the fifth, the Spirits scored their first and only run of the game.
  • A one-out rally for the Monarchs in the bottom of the fifth never ended as they scored five runs to claim an eight-run-rule victory. McKenzie Lanphear brought the final two runs home on a single to center field while the bases were loaded.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
  • Figuratively speaking, a different Salem team showed up to play in game two, taxing Methodist pitcher Sarah Haywood for two runs on three hits in the top of the first.
  • The Spirits scored another run in the second and one more in the third – both unearned. In the fourth inning, Blanchard recorded a leadoff triple before a sacrifice fly by Rivas brought the first run in for Methodist.
  • Down 4-1, the Monarchs inched closer in the sixth inning as Blanchard singled on a line drive off the first baseman's glove, scoring Hannah Lovick from second base. However, Salem added one more run to its total in the seventh, for which Methodist had no final answer.
 
NUMBERS
  • Game two pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts, with Salem's starter Isabella Morales fanning six batters while Methodist reliever Emma Neeley struck out five.
  • Sydney Sizemore had a great performance in game one, batting 3-for-3 with two RBIs, while fellow senior McKenzie Lanphear went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
  • Rachel Blanchard recorded a triple in both games, giving her eight three-baggers on the season.
UP NEXT
The Monarchs will set their sights on the USA South Tournament. As the No. 6 seed, Methodist will travel to Greensboro College (No. 2) for the first weekend of the tournament, where they will first face third-seeded North Carolina Wesleyan University at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 2. The weekend will be a double-elimination style bracket with seventh-seeded Meredith also playing at the same site. 
 
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