FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Battling the Salem College Spirits, the Methodist softball team came away with a doubleheader split to wrap up the regular season, falling 4-3 in an extra inning during Sunday's first game before defeating the visitors 4-3 in game two.
THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Salem def. Methodist, 4-3 (8 Inn.); Methodist def. Salem, 4-3
Records: Methodist 12-28 (6-12 USA South); Salem 9-29 (4-14 USA South)
Location: Price Field; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 1
- Salem cracked the scoreboard first with a run in the fourth inning, benefiting from two walks and a hit-by-pitch to begin the frame. Methodist answered loudly in the bottom of the inning, producing three runs. The highlight of the inning was Devan Wenger's one-out triple that brought Haley Downes across home.
- The Spirits pulled within one with a sacrifice fly in the fifth, then tied the game in the top of the seventh. In the eighth, Salem snagged a one-run lead, then held the Monarchs scoreless in the next frame to bring the game to an end.
HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 2
- A four-run first inning was all the Monarchs needed to clinch a victory in the regular-season finale. With one out and bases loaded, Downes drew a five-pitch walk to push Hannah Lovick home. With two outs and bases still juiced, Wenger and Ella Poulk put together back-to-back singles to drive in two more runs.
- Salem claimed one run in the fourth and two in the seventh on a Reese Upton homerun, then saw the tying run reach second base. Bailey Bettencourt forced the final two batters out through the air, marking her first 7 inning complete game.
NUMBERS
- Wenger led the team with three hits on the day, finishing 2-for-2 in the win.
- Bettencourt tossed four strikeouts and avoided giving up any walks.
UP NEXT
Methodist will be the seventh seed in the upcoming USA South Softball Tournament, set to begin on Thursday, April 30. The Monarchs will travel to Raleigh and play the host, second-seeded Meredith College, in the opening game at 11 a.m.
