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Grace Hobbs in a ready position at first base against EMU
8
Winner Methodist MUSB 5-8
5
East. Mennonite EMU 5-4-1
Winner
Methodist MUSB
5-8
8
Final
5
East. Mennonite EMU
5-4-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Methodist MUSB 0 0 0 6 0 0 2 8 16 1
East. Mennonite EMU 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 5 12 1

W: Margoupis, Kiersten (3-4) L: N. Graham (2-3)

4
Winner Shenandoah SUH 5-3
3
Methodist MUSB 5-9
Winner
Shenandoah SUH
5-3
4
Final
3
Methodist MUSB
5-9
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Shenandoah SUH 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 4 8 0
Methodist MUSB 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 3 9 3

W: C. Rieg (1-0) L: Neeley, Emma (2-5) S: T. Smith (1)

Game Recap: Softball | | Michael Spratt

Monarchs Split Opening Games of Triangle Classic

WALNUT CREEK, N.C.  Methodist University softball split its opening games of the Grand Slam Triangle Softball Classic on Saturday. The Monarchs began the day with an 8­–5 come-from-behind victory over Eastern Mennonite University before dropping a close 4–3 contest to Shenandoah University.  

THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Methodist def. Eastern Mennonite, 8–5; Shenandoah def. Methodist, 4–3
Records: Methodist 5-9; Eastern Mennonite 5-4-1; Shenandoah 5-3
Location: Walnut Creek Softball Complex; Walnut Creek, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1 (vs. Eastern Mennonite)
  • Eastern Mennonite took an early 2–0 lead following a two-run home run from Meaghan Dean in the first inning. Then, the Royals increased their advantage to 5–0 after they scored three more runs in the third.
  • It wasn't until the fourth inning when Methodist scored some runs. After two base hits to lead off the inning, Rachel Lawson laid down a bunt single back to the pitcher, and not only did she reach first base safely, but an East Mennonite throwing error allowed all Monarch runners to advance another base, including scoring the first Methodist run.
  • Additional base hits from Alexandra Edwards, Hannah Lovick, and Rachel Blanchard drove in four more Monarch runs and tied the ballgame up at 5–5. Methodist would take a 6–5 lead in the fourth off a sacrifice fly by Alyssa Rivas.
  • In the seventh inning, the Monarchs extended their advantage 8–5 with two insurance runs, as Lawson and Bailey Snow each had an RBI single.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2 (vs. Shenandoah)
  • The Hornets scored first as they recorded a run during their opening at-bats. With bases loaded, and two outs, Taylor Smith hit a single to right field to score one run. Shenandoah tried to get two runs on the play, but Blanchard picked up the ball quickly in right field and fired home to cut down the runner at the plate.
  • Methodist got the run back in the second inning, as Kealey Wade smacked an infield single to score Grace Hobbs from third, who got there after she hit a double and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Haley Downes.
  • Shenandoah scored a run in the third inning to regain the lead and added another run in the fifth to go up 3–1.
  • In the bottom half of the fifth, Bailey Snow drew a walk to get on first base for the Monarchs. She then came around to score on a Rivas RBI double to right field, cutting the deficit down to one.
  • The Hornets would tack on one more insurance run, 4–2, in the top half of the seventh, as Cadence Rieg scored on a ground out, after she doubled and then made it to third on a Methodist error.
  • In their last at-bats of the seventh inning, the Monarchs managed to score one run, putting the tying and game-winning runs on base. After a single by Wade, a sacrifice bunt, and a ground out, Blanchard came to the plate and executed an RBI double, bringing the score to 4–3. Two batters later, Blanchard and pinch runner Devan Wenger were on second and third base with two outs. Unfortunately, Shenandoah secured the final out against Methodist, clinching the victory.
NUMBERS
  • In the two games combined, Methodist recorded 25 total hits (19 singles and six doubles). Rivas also had the best hitting day as she went 4-for-6 with 2 RBIs.
  • Kiersten Margoupis and Emma Neeley threw in the circle today for the Monarchs, with both going to the distance in their respective games. Margoupis was the starter against the Royals, and she got the win after surrendering five runs on 12 hits. Neeley tossed the second game, and she gave up four runs (two earned) on eight hits.
UP NEXT
Methodist returns to the Grand Slam Triangle Softball Classic on Sunday, March 9, to play two more opponents, facing Piedmont University at noon before playing 7th-ranked Christopher Newport University at 2:30 PM.
    
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