FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. The Methodist University softball team broke into the win column in emphatic fashion Friday evening, sweeping Messiah University, 6–4 and 1–0, in a non-conference doubleheader at Price Field.
The sweep marked Methodist's first over the Falcons in more than six years and evened the Monarchs' record at 2–2 on the young season.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Methodist def. Messiah, 6–4; Methodist def. Messiah, 1–0
Records: Methodist 2-2; Messiah 0-2
Location: Price Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
- Methodist wasted little time applying pressure.
- After senior pitcher Kiersten Margoupis stranded two Falcons in the top of the first inning, the Monarch offense capitalized in the home half. A single, a walk, and a Messiah error loaded the bases before senior Alyssa Rivas delivered a clutch two-RBI single to give the Monarchs a 2–0 lead.
- Senior Rachel Blanchard extended the advantage in the third inning, launching a solo home run over the center field fence to make it 3–0.
- Messiah clawed back into the contest with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Asia Harding doubled home a run in the fourth, and Josi Tolentino added a sacrifice fly in the fifth to trim the margin to 3–2.
- The Falcons evened the score in the sixth when Fallon Feaser connected on a solo home run, tying the game at 3–3 and setting the stage for late drama.
- Methodist answered immediately.
- Two Messiah errors in the bottom of the sixth proved costly, and junior Kealey Wade delivered the decisive blow. Wade crushed a three-run homer — the first of her collegiate career — over the fence to restore a 6–3 Monarch lead.
- Messiah plated one run in the seventh, but Margoupis closed the door to secure Methodist's first victory of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
- The nightcap turned into a classic pitcher's duel between Messiah's Kelli Durbin and Methodist sophomore Mia Wraight.
- Scoring opportunities were scarce and hard-earned. In the fourth inning, both teams placed runners on first and second, but neither could break through. Messiah threatened again in the fifth with two runners aboard, yet Wraight escaped the jam to preserve the scoreless tie.
- Durbin was equally sharp, striking out nine batters across six innings and keeping the Monarchs off balance for much of the contest.
- The breakthrough finally came in the bottom of the sixth.
- With runners in scoring position, Rivas once again rose to the occasion, lining an RBI single to plate the only run of the game and give Methodist a 1–0 advantage.
- Wraight handled the rest. The sophomore completed her first collegiate shutout, allowing no runs and securing the sweep with a poised performance in the circle.
NUMBERS
- Rivas led the Monarch offense, going 2-for-5 on the day with three RBIs, including the game-winning hit in Game Two.
- Margoupis earned the Game One win with a complete-game effort. She went the distance in the circle, tossing seven innings while allowing four runs (three earned) and striking out two.
UP NEXT
Methodist travels to face the University of Lynchburg on Saturday, February 21, for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at Noon.
