FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist University softball had an exciting opening day on Sunday. The team hosted Randolph College at Price Field and won two games to start 2025. In Game One, the Monarchs needed extra innings (8) to secure a 4–3 walk-off win, and then in Game Two, required just five innings as they run-ruled the Wildcats for a 9–1 victory.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Methodist def. Randolph, 4-3 (8 Inn.); Methodist def. Randolph, 9-1 (5 Inn.)
Records: Methodist 2-0; Randolph 0-2
Location: Price Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
- In the second inning, two Randolph fielding errors and a hit batter loaded up the bases for Methodist, with one out. The Wildcats' starting pitcher Paige Scruggs minimized the damage, surrounding just one Monarch run on a Kealey Wade sacrifice fly.
- After being hit by a pitch, Haley Downes made a heads-up play on Wade's sac bunt, as she kept running from first to an uncovered third base. One batter later, Downes crossed home on an Alexandra Edwards' RBI single, putting Methodist up 2–0 in the fourth inning.
- A triple by Rachel Blanchard was how the Monarchs began the fifth. Two batters later, Blanchard added another run to Methodist's total, 3–0, as she scored on a Randolph miscue.
- Kiersten Margoupis, of the Monarchs, was cruising through the first five innings before getting into trouble in the sixth. Three straight Wildcat hits filled up the base paths, and then a walk drove in the first Randolph run of the game. A sac fly by Lexi Hawkins brought in the second Wildcat run before a costly Methodist throwing error tied the ballgame at 3–3.
- Fast forward to the top of the eighth, a pair of crucial outs by the Monarchs kept Randolph from scoring. The first was a successful rundown of the Wildcats' lead runner between third and home, followed by Blanchard cutting down a runner at the plate from right field.
- In the bottom half of the inning, Devan Wenger was substituted to pinch run for the Methodist runner that started at second base. Wenger would get to third on a Grace Hobbs bunt, then one wild pitch later, Wenger sprinted home for the game-winning run.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
- The Monarchs scored the first run of the second game during their opening at-bats. A Randolph fielding error allowed Blanchard to reach base safely, and then after she stole second, Alyssa Rivas drove her in on a hit to center field.
- Both teams would score runs in the third inning. After the Wildcats knotted up the contest on a Riley Shupe RBI single, Methodist re-took a 3–1 lead following back-to-back RBI doubles by Reilly Howell and Rachel Lawson.
- In the fourth inning, the Monarchs opened up the scoring and increased their advantage to 8–1. The inning began with the first Methodist five batters all registering a hit, scoring three runs. Then, two additional hits and a walk drove in two more runs.
- An inning later, Amanda Blackburn would send the Monarch faithful home happy as she had the game-winning hit to seal the second game.
- Game two starter for Methodist was Emma Neeley, who earned the win after surrendering one run in 4.1 innings. Mia Wraight, who made her collegiate debut, tossed the final 0.2 innings, which included her first collegiate strikeout.
NUMBERS
- Methodist starts its new season 2-0 for the first time since 2020, when the team swept St. Andrews University at home.
- Nine different Monarchs registered an RBI in the sweep of Randolph.
- Blanchard led all Methodist batters with four total hits between both games. Hannah Lovick was right behind Blanchard, as she had three hits and a game-high two RBIs in the second contest.
UP NEXT
Methodist won't wait long before returning to the diamond as they host a doubleheader against Messiah University on Monday, February 17. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 3 PM.
