RALEIGH, N.C. & FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. The Methodist softball team was winless over the weekend, struggling to produce runs in losses to Sweet Briar College and Piedmont University at the Grand Slam Triangle Softball Classic on Saturday before dropping a pair of home games to Bridgewater College on Sunday.
THE ESSENTIALS
Saturday Final scores: Sweet Briar def. Methodist, 2–0; Piedmont def. Methodist, 6–0
Sunday Final scores: Bridgewater def. Methodist, 8–0 (6 Inn.); Bridgewater def. Methodist, 5–4
Records: Methodist 4–10; Sweet Briar 6–5; Piedmont 8–6; Bridgewater 8–4
Location: Walnut Creek Softball Complex; Raleigh, N.C. & Price Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED – vs. Sweet Briar
- After two hitless innings, the Vixens struck first, delivering a one-out double in the top of the third before soon scoring the game's first run. In the top of the sixth, another double put the Vixens in prime scoring position, ultimately putting Sweet Briar ahead 2–0. Methodist was held without a hit all the way up until midway through the bottom of the seventh, when Reilly Howell came in to pinch hit and tapped a ball into the outfield for a single. With a walk prior, Methodist now had two runners on with just one out, but Sweet Briar's Ambyre Taylor was able to retire the next two batters via strikeout to end the game. Mia Wraight conceded just five hits to the Vixens but had no run support from the Methodist offense.
HOW IT HAPPENED – vs. Piedmont
- With two runners on base for Piedmont, the Lions launched a homerun in the top of the second to make the score 3–0. Piedmont stretched its lead to four runs in the third inning, then added an additional run in the fifth and another in the sixth.
- Methodist was again held without a run in its second game of the day, recording just five hits, with two coming off the bat of Hannah Lovick.
HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 1 vs. Bridgewater
- The Monarchs were one-hit just as they were against Sweet Briar, with Lovick producing the team's singular hit in the first inning. From there, Bridgewater pieced its runs together — one in the second, three in the third, and one in the fourth. With a 5–0 advantage, the Eagles went back to work in the top of the sixth, stringing together three hits that led to three runs. The Monarchs were unable to score in the bottom of the inning, triggering a mercy rule.
HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 2 vs. Bridgewater
- Methodist trailed 5–0 and faced its final three outs, with just three hits prior to that point. With one out in the top of the seventh, Howell blasted a double to left-center field. Pinch hitting behind her, Bethany Fisher earned a single on a well-placed ball to the shortstop, then Minnie Johnson singled up the middle to load the bases. A heater back up the middle by Kalea Parker (who was pinch hitting) allowed the Monarchs to score their first run, then a throwing error brought a second run across the plate for Methodist. With two outs, Haley Downes stepped up, managing to reach base on a dropped third strike while the runner on third trotted home to make the score 5–3. Keeping the rally alive, Lovick connected on a pitch and sent the ball to shallow right field, allowing Kealey Wade to score and pull the Monarchs within one. However, with the tying run on third, the comeback attempt fell short.
UP NEXT
Methodist's next three outings are all away from home, with the first coming on Thursday, March 12, when the Monarchs travel to Danville, Virginia, to take on Averett University. Game one of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.
