RALEIGH, N.C. Methodist softball battled in a pair of tightly contested USA South games Saturday afternoon at William Peace University but came up just short in both, falling 8–6 in Game One and 13–12 in a walk-off defeat in Game Two at William Peace Softball Field.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: William Peace def. Methodist, 8–6; William Peace def. Methodist, 13–12
Records: Methodist 6–16 (2–2 USA South); William Peace 13–9 (2–2 USA South)
Location: William Peace Softball Field; Raleigh, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 1
- Methodist struck first in the second inning, capitalizing on a pair of William Peace errors to plate three runs. Hannah Lovick delivered an RBI single before Haley Downes followed with a base hit that brought in two more, giving the Monarchs a 3–0 advantage.
- The Pacers responded in the bottom half of the inning with two runs, then added single runs in both the fourth and fifth to take their first lead of the game, 4–3.
- The Monarchs answered in the sixth with a three-run rally to reclaim the lead. After Kealey Wade reached and Rachel Blanchard doubled to put two in scoring position, Lovick drove both in with a single down the right field line. Alyssa Rivas later added an RBI single to make it 6–4.
- The Monarchs answered back with a three-run sixth inning to retake the lead 6–4. Following a Kealey Wade walk and a Rachel Blanchard double gave Methodist two runners in scoring position, Lovick stepped up to the plate and drove both runners in on a single down the right field line. A couple of batters later, senior Alyssa Rivas drove in Lovick on a base hit.
- William Peace responded immediately, scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth behind multiple extra-base hits to take an 8–6 lead. Methodist threatened in the seventh, loading the bases with one out, but the Pacers recorded a strikeout and a lineout to seal the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 2
- For the second straight game, Methodist jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning. Downes reached and stole second before Rivas drove her in, and Dakota Putman followed with a two-RBI single.
- William Peace answered with a six-run bottom half of the first and extended its lead to 7–3 in the second on a solo home run.
- Methodist chipped away at the deficit, with Putman driving in a run in the third and the Monarchs adding two more in the fifth to make it 10–6. After the Pacers pushed their lead to 11–6, Methodist responded with its biggest inning of the day.
- The Monarchs erupted for six runs, highlighted by a grand slam from Rivas that gave Methodist a 12–11 lead. Earlier in the inning, the Monarchs also benefited from an error and an RBI single by Lovick.
- In the bottom of the seventh, William Peace loaded the bases with one out before delivering a two-RBI double to walk off the Monarchs, 13–12.
NUMBERS
- Rivas led the offense, going 4-for-9 with six RBIs, including a career-high five RBIs in Game Two.
- Lovick hit .500 (5-for-10) on the day with four RBIs.
- Putman turned in a career performance in Game Two with three hits and her first three collegiate RBIs.
UP NEXT
Methodist continues its road stretch Sunday, March 29, traveling to Greensboro College for another USA South doubleheader. First pitch is set for 2 PM.
