March 16, 2008
#22 Monarchs Win Three To Go Undefeated at Ferrum
Junior Kayla Talbert hit two home runs on the way to six RBI in three games

SALEM, VA - #22 Methodist went undefeated in pool play against Peace and Ohio Northern to face Shenandoah in the third game of the day. Another win gave Methodist a 4-0 record at the Ferrum Invitational this weekend. The Monarchs move to 16-4 overall this season.

In the first game of the day, the Monarchs took on Peace College, rescheduled from Saturday. Peace took an early 4-0 lead, and Methodist worked to overcome the deficit. Junior Kayla Talbert hit a solo home run in the second and the Monarchs put together a rally in the fourth to score five runs in the fourth inning. Freshman Jody Eyler hit a double to right center and sophomore Bethany Thurston entered to run. Talbert grounded out but Thurston moved to third and scored on junior Sara Poling's hit through the left side. Freshman Brittany Melton entered for Poling and freshman Hannah Stutts drew the walk. Junior Caline Daun entered for Stutts and freshman Darci Martin doubled down the left line to score Melton. Freshman Tabatha Stephenson singled to left field with Daun beating the tag at home. Martin scored on a passed ball and Metzger walked in the fifth run with bases loaded. The Monarchs added their seventh run in the fifth with a single up the middle by Stutts to score Talbert after a sacrifice bunt from Melton.

Ohio Northern took a 1-0 lead in the first inning of game two, but Methodist came back in the third with five runs on four hits and a walk. Eyler and Talbert each drove in runs while Stutts hit a two-run home run. Ohio Northern cut the lead to three with a home run in the fourth and then tied the game at five in the sixth. Methodist loaded the bases on the seventh with a single from Poling, a walk from Stutts and a single from Martin. A walk, single from senior Rebekah Kelly and a passed ball allowed all three runs to score for the Monarchs to take the 8-5 win. Junior Lesley Hewitt picked up the win after starting the game and re-entering in the sixth for Stutts.

The Shenandoah Hornets took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning but another home run from Stutts and the Monarchs trailed 3-2. Sophomore Megan Hutson drew the walk in the first and Eyler hit a single for Talbert to hit a three-run home run giving the Monarchs a 5-3 lead. Shenandoah regained the lead with three runs in the bottom of the third and then took the 7-5 lead in the fourth. Scoreless through the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, Methodist had one final chance to come back in the seventh. Freshman Tabatha Stephenson led off with a single through the left side and Hutson hit the infield single to short. Sophomore Crystal Metzger singled up the middle to load the bases. Eyler doubled to right center for all three runners to score and then moved to third on the dead ball. Talbert singled to score Eyler and Stutts singled to score Talbert for the 10-7 win. Stutts earned the win in the circle pitching three and two thirds innings.

The Monarchs will begin USA South Conference play at Greensboro on Tuesday at 2 pm.