Februaryy 22, 2006
27th-ranked Methodist opens softball season with sweep at Guilford
Sorensen, Hewitt pick up victories as Monarchs roll 12-0, 10-2

GREENSBORO, N.C. – After checking in at 27th in the first Division III national poll of the season, the Methodist Monarch softball team opened the season in fine fashion with a 12-0, 10-2 doubleheader sweep at Guilford on Wednesday.

Methodist rode the arms of Jennifer Sorensen and Jessica Hutzul in game one as the duo combined on a one-hit shutout in five innings. Sorensen allowed the hit in the fourth inning on a single by Guilford’s Cara Pattillo.

The Monarchs, meanwhile, scored six runs each in the third and fifth innings. Lesley Hewitt provided the big blow in the third with a three-run double, while Candace Hudgins had an RBI single. In the fifth, freshman Sara Poling led off the inning with a solo home run, and Kristen Kennedy had an RBI single.

Kayla Talbert went 2-for-2 with two runs scored in game one for Methodist.

Hewitt made her first collegiate start in game two and pitched three scoreless innings, allowing four hits with one strikeout. Methodist took an 8-0 lead, meanwhile, with three runs in the first, one in the second and four in the third.

Hudgins and Sara Poling both delivered RBI doubles in the first inning for the Monarchs, while LaTiana Headen drilled an RBI double in the second. In the third, Brittney Noe, Adrienne Acosta and Rebekah Kelly both nailed RBI singles, and Poling scored on Sorensen’s sacrifice fly.

The Monarchs added two more runs in the fifth as Caryn Moreland delivered an RBI single and Taylor Powers walked with the bases loaded.

Hudgins, Kelly and Poling each went 2-for-2 in game two for Methodist, with Hudgins and Kelly scoring two runs and Poling delivering two RBIs. Headen also went 2-for-2 as the Monarchs laced Quaker pitching for 15 hits.

Methodist plays its home opener on Sunday at 2 p.m. against USA South Athletic Conference rival Christopher Newport at Monarch Field.