March 18, 2006
27th-ranked Monarchs sweep two at Early Bird Invitational
Sorensen fires no-hitter against Peace; Jackson comes up big against LaGrange

FLORENCE, S.C. – The Methodist Monarch softball team finished off the Early Bird Invitational with fine fashion on Saturday. Methodist opened with 2-0 victory over Peace on a no-hitter by Jennifer Sorensen, and then out-lasted LaGrange 3-1 in nine innings in the nightcap. The victories gave Methodist four in the five games at the Early Bird Invitational this weekend.

Methodist, ranked 27th in Division III, improves to 23-5 overall.

Sorensen, a senior right-hander, hurled her third career no-hitter. She had only two walks and a hit batter with nine strikeouts. Methodist scored both runs in the second inning as Rebekah Kelly walked with the bases loaded and Caryn Moreland scored on a Pacer error.

Lisa Jackson and Sara Poling both went 2-for-3 for the Monarchs.

Methodist and LaGrange was a classic duel as both teams were scoreless through seven innings. The Monarchs took a 1-0 lead in the eighth on an RBI single by Kelly. After LaGrange tied it in the bottom of the inning, Methodist loaded the bases in the ninth, and then Jackson cashed in with a booming two-run double to centerfield.

Lesley Hewitt picked up the victory, recording four strikeouts in eight innings, and Sorensen recorded the save in the ninth with two strikeouts.

Methodist returns to USA South Athletic Conference action on Tuesday, playing host to North Carolina Wesleyan at 2 p.m.