 Softball |
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April 6, 2007 FAYETTEVILLE, NC- Methodist used a day off classes to finish their regular season with two wins over USA South Conference member Ferrum College. The Monarchs won game one 3-1 and came back to win 7-4 in game two. Methodist moves to 27-7 overall and 11-3 in the USA South while Ferrum drops to 15-20 overall and 2-11 in the conference. The first inning of game one went scoreless, but the Monarchs scored one in the bottom of the second inning. Sophomore Sara Poling led off with a walk and freshman Bethany Thurston entered as a pinch runner. Sophomore Kayla Talbert reached first on a bunt, but Thurston was called out at second. Junior Billye Rivas hit a double deep in centerfield to score Talbert for the first run of the game. Ferrum tied the game in the third inning when Kathleen Gulino scored for the Panthers. The Monarchs regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when junior Rebekah Kelly led off with a single to center field. Freshman Megan Hutson's groundout advanced Kelly to second while Poling's single to left center scored Kelly. Methodist scored an insurance run in the sixth when Kelly doubled to left field to score pinch runner sophomore Caline Daun. Sophomore Lesley Hewitt pitched the complete game to earn the 3-1 win for Methodist. After a brief intermission, Ferrum came out swinging in game two, taking a 2-0 lead on three hits. The Monarchs cut into the lead in the bottom of the inning when Hutson and senior Kristie Kennedy reached base on consecutive walks. Talbert hit a double down the left field line to score Hutson for the first run of the game. Methodist left two stranded in the inning, but sophomore LaTiana Headen tied the game with a home run over the fence in center field for her first of the season. Hutson started a rally in the third inning when she led off with a double to left field. Kennedy reached second on an error in centerfield while Hutson advanced to third. Poling drove one to right field to score both runners for the 4-2 lead. The Monarchs came back and scored two more runs in the fourth inning when Headen walked to lead off the inning. Kelly reached first on a dropped ball by the first baseman and Headen moved to second. Hutson laid down the sacrifice bunt to advance both runners. Kennedy grounded out to first, but scored Headen. Kelly also snuck home on the play for the second run of the inning. The Panthers came back and scored two on three hits but Methodist battled to score in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hutson singled to get things going and Kennedy moved her to second on a single to center. Kennedy was called out at second on a fielder's choice by Poling, but Talbert's single to center scored Hutson for the 7-4 lead. Freshman Emily Beck started in the circle to earn the win for the Monarchs while Hewitt pitched the final inning to hold the Panthers for the save. Rivas led the Monarchs hitting 3-for-4 on the day with a RBI. Poling went 2-for-5 with three RBI while Talbert drove in two runs on 3-for-7 hitting. The Monarchs will will compete in the USA South Conference Tournament from April 13-15 in Burlington, NC. |
