 Softball |
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March 21, 2008 FAYETTEVILLE, NC - The Methodist University softball team jumped nine spots in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll to #13 on Friday and cruised to the doubleheader sweep over Averett 9-1 and 3-1. The Monarchs move to 20-4 overall and 4-0 in the USA South while Averett moves to 1-11 overall and 0-4 in the conference. Averett took an early lead in the first inning after a lead off double and a single for the first run of the game. With one out in the bottom of the inning, sophomore Megan Hutson drew the walk and then was ruled safe on freshman Hannah Stutt's fielder's choice. Junior Sara Poling doubled to left field for Hutson to tie the game at one. Freshman Courtney Blann entered to pinch run for Stutts on third and scored on junior Kayla Talbert's fly ball to center field. With a 2-1 advantage heading into the bottom of the second, freshman Tabatha Stephenson singled through the right side and advanced to third on an error. Kelly singled through the right side for Stephenson to score and then Hutson hit a double deep in right field for Kelly to score from first. Poling followed up with a single through the right side allowing Hutson to score for the 5-1 lead. Stutts led off the fourth reaching on an error and Talbert singled up the middle for Stutts to move to second. Sophomore Virginia Harrington reached on an error while Stutts came around to score. With Talbert on third, Harrington stole second and both runners scored on senior Billye Rivas double down the right field line. Junior Caline Daun pinch hit and dropped a single in play for Rivas to move to third. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch with Rivas' run giving the Monarchs the 9-1 lead. Averett had runners on first and second in the top of the fifth, but the Methodist defense finished with the double play for the win. Junior Lesley Hewitt scattered five hits allowing just one run in the circle while Talbert and Stephenson finished 2-for-2 from the plate. The Cougars struck first again in game two with a run in the top of the first and the Monarchs had to keep battling to come from behind. Sophomore Crystal Metzger picked up the first hit of the game and stole second but was left stranded in the bottom of the inning. Talbert led off the second with a single through the right side. Stephenson came to the plate with two outs and hit a single through the left side that allowed Talbert to score the tying run. Stephenson advanced to third on an error but the Monarchs could not get her home. In the third inning senior Rebekah Kelly led off with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Hutson laid down the sacrifice for Kelly to move to third and Metzger's second single of the day scored Kelly for the eventual game-winning run. Freshman Jody Eyler's groundout moved Metzger to second and Talbert singled to center for Metzger to score. Averett put together three hits in the fifth but the Monarchs held on for the 3-1 win. Sophomore Emily Beck picked up the win in four and two third innings pitched allowing just one run while Stutts earned the save. Metzger and Talbert both went 2-for-3. The Monarchs will travel to Meredith on Wednesday for a doubleheader starting at 2 pm. |
