ARLINGTON, Va. The Methodist University softball team came up just short in a pair of tightly contested non-conference road games Sunday afternoon against Marymount University at Barcroft Park. The Monarchs fell 6–5 in the opener before dropping a 5–4 extra-inning decision in Game Two.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Marymount def. Methodist, 6–5; Marymount def. Methodist, 5–4 (8 Inn.)
Records: Methodist 4-14; Marymount 6-6
Location: Barcroft Park; Arlington, Virginia
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
- Marymount took control early in the opener, scoring five runs across the first three innings to build a 5–0 advantage.
- Methodist broke through in the sixth inning. After Haley Downes drew a leadoff walk, Alyssa Rivas launched the second pitch she saw over the fence in right-center field for a two-run home run, cutting the deficit to 5–2.
- The Saints responded in the bottom half of the inning, adding a run to stretch their lead to 6–2 heading into the final frame.
- The Monarchs mounted a late rally in the seventh. The first two batters reached base before Rachel Lawson delivered an RBI single to left field. A fielding error on the play allowed another run to score and moved Lawson to third. Later in the inning, Reilly Howell drove in Lawson with a single up the middle to pull Methodist within one at 6–5. A wild pitch moved the tying run into scoring position, but the Monarchs were unable to push across the equalizer.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
- Marymount struck first in the second game, plating a run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.
- Methodist answered in the sixth to take its first lead of the day. Downes tied the game at 1–1 by blasting the first pitch she saw over the right-field fence for her first collegiate home run. A double, walk, and wild pitch later put two runners in scoring position before Bethany Fisher delivered a two-RBI double to right field, giving the Monarchs a 3–1 advantage.
- The Saints responded quickly in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs to even the game at 3–3 and force extra innings.
- Methodist regained the lead in the eighth inning. After an infield single put runners on the corners, Downes recorded a productive out that allowed the go-ahead run to score, putting the Monarchs up 4–3.
- Marymount answered in the bottom half, however, using an RBI double to tie the contest before a base hit brought home the winning run for a 5–4 walk-off victory.
NUMBERS
- Lawson and Rivas were the only Monarchs to record a hit in both games.
- Downes, Fisher, and Rivas each tallied two RBIs on the day.
UP NEXT
Methodist returns to Fayetteville to begin USA South Conference play on Saturday, March 21, hosting Mary Baldwin University. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 PM.
