October 29, 2007
Softball Blog: Rebekah Kelly
Kelly shares her experience from softball's fall trip to Tennessee
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  After competing in the 2007 World Series, The University of Tennessee Lady Vols softball team looked to open Sherri Parker Lee Softball Stadium for play in October, 2007. On October 21, 2007 our Monarchs' softball team/program made history by competing in the Fall tournament of the 2007 NCAA D-I Runner-ups. release

June 26, 2007
Athletic Department Announces Scholar Athletes of the Year
Rhyan Breen, Sara Poling and Kelly Shipkowski honored with highest academic honors
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  Each year, the Methodist Department of Athletics honors the male and female student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average.  Football player, and recent graduate Rhyan Breen will receive the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year award.  For the first time there was a tie amongst the females with both Sara Poling and Kelly Shipkowski named Female Scholar Athletes of the Year.  release

May 24, 2007
Kelly Adds to Accolades With NCCSIA Honors
Sports Information Directors honor Kelly with All-State recognition
GREENSBORO, NC - The North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) released their College Division All-State team on Thursday, recognizing Methodist junior Rebekah Kelly for her play this season.  release

May 18, 2007
Kelly Receives All-American Honors
Junior named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III All-America Second Team
FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Fayetteville native, Rebekah Kelly has been named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III All-America Second Team for her outstanding play during the 2007 season.  Named the USA South Player of the Year last month, Kelly finished the season with a .462 batting average to lead the team.  release

May 13, 2007
Kennedy Named to NCAA All-Tournament Team
Left fielder batted .500 in three games including game-winning home run versus LaGrange
FAYETTEVILLE, NC - After dealing Methodist their first loss on Friday, Emory went on to defeat Lynchburg twice to win the bid to the 2007 Division III Softball World Series in Salem, Virginia next weekend.  At the conclusion of the First Round Tournament in Fayetteville, the All-Tournament team was selected including Methodist senior Kristie Kennedy.  release

May 12, 2007
Marietta Outlasts Methodist 2-1
Rebekah Kelly leads the Monarchs hitting 2-for-3 with the game-tying RBI
FAYETTEVILLE, NC - The Monarchs were hoping to jump start their offense Saturday morning to prevent elimination from the NCAA Softball First Round Tournament, but Marietta scored the game-winning run in the sixth inning to prevail 2-1.  The Monarchs finish their season 33-10 while Marietta moves to 34-11.  release

May 11, 2007
Emory Comes From Behind to Defeat Monarchs 2-1
Megan Hutson's double to left center scores LaTiana Headen for the first run of the game
FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Methodist and Emory both came into Friday's game with a close win on Thursday.  The Monarchs started strong with a 1-0 lead, but Emory scored two unearned runs in the fourth to take the win.  The Monarchs move to 33-9 on the season while Emory is 30-6.  release

May 10, 2007
Methodist Earns 1-0 Win Over LaGrange
Kristie Kennedy's home run in the bottom of the sixth proves to be game-winner
FAYETTEVILLE, NC - The Monarchs started things out right on Thursday with a 1-0 win over LaGrange in the NCAA First Round Tournament.  It turned out to be a battle of the pitchers as Methodist pitcher threw a 5-hit shutout for the win.  LaGrange's Amanda Daniel gave up just one run in six hits on a deep centerfield shot by Kristie Kennedy.  release

May 7, 2007
Methodist to Host NCAA Softball Regional
Number one seeded Monarchs are scheduled to play LaGrange Thursday at 10 am

INDIANAPOLIS, IN-  The NCAA Division III Softball Committee has announced the 59 teams that will compete in the Division III Softball Championship.  The Monarchs will host an eight team regional from May 10-14.  release

April 26, 2007
Methodist Softball Jumps to No. 19 in NFCA Weekly Poll
The Monarchs are 32-8 awaiting NCAA selection information for regionals

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The newest Division III poll by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association ranks the Methodist Monarchs as No. 19 in the country.  The Monarchs won the USA South Conference Tournament a week and a half ago before finishing the regular season with a split with Chowan.  release

April 22, 2007
Monarchs Split With Chowan
Kristie Kennedy's RBI single scores game-winning run in game one
FAYETTEVILLE, NC - In their first action since winning the conference tournament championship last weekend, the Monarchs split with Chowan 3-2 and 0-1.  The Monarchs move to 32-8 on the season while Chowan stands at 19-27-1.  release

April 15, 2007
Fifteen Monarchs Earn All-Tournament Honors
Methodist won four of the six spring championships with four student-athletes named the MVP
BURLINGTON, NC-  The USA South completed the tournament championships on Sunday, April 15.  The Monarchs won more trophies than any other school with four, while Christopher Newport won one and Ferrum won the other.  release

April 14, 2007
Monarchs Wins USA South Tournament Championship
Methodist finishes 4-0 to receive automatic berth in NCAA Regionals
BURLINGTON, N.C. - The Monarchs came into the USA South Tournament as the number two seed behind regular season champions, Christopher Newport University, but after the Cinderella Shenandoah Hornets dealt the Captains their second loss of the tournament, Methodist took care of business to secure the 6-5 win and the tournament championship on Saturday afternoon.  release

April 14, 2007
Methodist Grabs Spot in Championship
Monarchs upset top seed Christopher Newport in comeback victory
BURLINGTON, N.C. - Second-seeded Methodist University will get two chances to defend its USA South Conference softball title after defeating Christopher Newport 9-5 Saturday afternoon in the winners bracket final.  release

April 13, 2007
Methodist Softball Wins Again
Monarchs advance to face top-seeded Christopher Newport Saturday
BURLINGTON, N.C. - Second-seeded Methodist grabbed the second berth in the USA South Conference softball tournament winners bracket finals with a 5-2 victory over Greensboro Friday afternoon.  release

April 13, 2007
Methodist Opens With Victory
Senior Jessica Hutzul earns the win in the circle for the Monarchs
BURLINGTON, N.C. – Second-seeded Methodist University opened up the 2007 USA South Conference softball tournament Friday morning at Springwood Park with a 3-1 victory over No. 7 Averett.  release

April 11, 2007
All-Conference Honors Awarded to Eight Monarchs
Methodist receives Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Rookie Pitcher of the Year
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for softball.  A total of 39 student-athletes have been named to the USA South All-Conference teams for softball.  Methodist University athletes earns three individual honors as Rebekah Kelly has been named the Player of the Year, Megan Hutson has been named Rookie of the Year and Emily Beck has been named Rookie Pitcher of the Year.  Sophomores Kayla Talbert and Lesley Hewitt received first team honors while senior Kristie Kennedy and junior Candace Hudgins were selected to the second team.  Junior Billye Rivas is an honorable mention selection.  release

April 6, 2007
#26 Monarchs Add Two Wins With Victories Over Ferrum
Sophomore LaTiana Headen hits her first home run of the season over the fence in center
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.  release

April 2, 2007
Hewitt, Kelly, and Halpin Honored as USA South Athletes of the Week
Methodist student-athletes receive weekly conference honors
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The USA South has announced their athletes of the week.  The conference gives an award for Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week for each sport active during the week.  release

April 1, 2007
#24 Methodist Picks Up Two Wins Over Averett
Sophomore Sara Poling bats 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Monarchs only used five innings in each game to outscore the Averett Cougars 17-1 in the doubleheader on Sunday.  Methodist moves to 25-7 overall and 9-3 in the USA South while Averett drops to 8-19 overall and 3-9 in the conference.  release

March 31, 2007
#24 Monarchs Split With Greensboro
Sophomore Lesley Hewitt pitches a complete game to earn the win
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Monarchs took game one over Greensboro 5-3, but the Pride came back with a five run fourth inning to defeat Methodist 5-3 in game two. The Monarchs move to 23-7 overall and 7-3 in the USA South while Greensboro moves to 28-8 overall and 7-5 in the conference.  release

March 27, 2007
Monarchs Defeat Shenandoah in Doubleheader 4-0 and 10-9
Junior Rebekah Kelly hits 5-for-9 with 3 runs scored and four RBI with game-winning triple
WINCHESTER, VA-  The Monarchs traveled to Shenandoah on Tuesday to face the Hornets in a USA South doubleheader.  Methodist shut out the Hornets in game one 4-0 before winning 10-9 in the ninth inning of game two. The Monarchs move to 22-6 overall and 6-2 in the USA South while Shenandoah falls to 10-12 this season and 4-6 in the conference.  release

March 26, 2007
Geisinger, Bull, Giannini, Fletcher and Hutson Honored as USA South Athletes of the Week
Methodist student-athletes receive weekly conference honors
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The USA South has announced their athletes of the week.  The conference gives an award for Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week for each sport active during the week.  release

March 25, 2007
Methodist Sweeps Meredith 12-4 and 11-2
Senior Kristie Kennedy goes 4-for-5 from the plate with four runs and five RBI
RALEIGH, NC-  After splitting with Peace on Saturday, the Monarchs bounced back on Sunday to sweep Meredith in two games outscoring the Angels 23-6.  The Monarchs move to 20-6 overall while Meredith falls to 4-22 this season.  release

March 24, 2007
Monarchs Split With Peace
Freshman Megan Hutson went 3-for-4 in game one with 4 RBI
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Monarchs started strong on Saturday afternoon winning 7-0 over Peace in game one.  The Pacers took game two in a 1-0 shutout with pitcher Lauren Pleasant holding Methodist to just three hits.  The Monarchs move to 18-6 overall and 4-2 in the USA South while Peace stands at 17-10 overall and 3-5 in the conference.  release

March 21, 2007
Methodist Wins Two at NC Wesleyan 6-5 and 8-0
Junior Candace Hudgins goes 5-for-6 on the day with three RBI
ROCKY MOUNT, NC-  The North Carolina Wesleyan Battling Bishops entered Wednesday's doubleheader undefeated in the USA South, but the Monarchs took both games 6-5 and 8-0 to knock the Bishops out of first place.  The Monarchs improve to 17-5 overall and 3-1 in the USA South while NC Wesleyan falls to 12-5 overall and 4-2 in the conference.  release

March 19, 2007
Beck, Poling, Geisinger, and Tucker Honored as USA South Athletes of the Week
Methodist student-athletes receive weekly conference honor
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The USA South has announced their athletes of the week.  The conference gives an award for Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week for each sport active during the week.  release

March 17, 2007
#23 Monarchs Go 4-0 at Early Bird Invitational
Rain cancels games on Friday, but Methodist wins four on Saturday
FLORENCE, SC-  Seven teams were scheduled to participate in the Early Bird Invitational on Friday and Saturday, but heavy rain on Friday forced the teams to compact as many games as possible into a busy Saturday.  Methodist knocked off Averett, LaGrange, Huntingdon and Meredith in a combined score of 23-1.  The Monarchs move to 15-5 overall and 2-1 in the USA South this season.  release

March 12, 2007
Kivett, and Beck Honored as USA South Rookies of the Week
Methodist athletes chosen for the second time this season
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The USA South has announced their athletes of the week.  The conference gives an award for Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week for each sport active during the week.  release

March 10, 2007
#23 Methodist Finishes 4-2 at NFCA Classic
Monarchs lose in extra innings to Mt. Union but finishes with 5-0 win over Wheaton
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL-  The Methodist softball team lost a heartbreaker Sunday morning to Mt. Union with a 4-3 defeat in the ninth inning, but bounced back with a 5-0 win over Wheaton (Mass.) to finish 4-2 at the tournament.  The Monarchs move to 11-5 overall this season.  release

March 10, 2007
#23 Methodist Splits With Ranked Competition at NFCA Classic
Monarchs defeat #15 Rutgers-Camden before falling to #6 St. Thomas
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL-  The Monarchs finished pool play with a 5-2 win over defending national champion Rutgers-Camden for the second win in a week over the #15 team in the country.  With the win, the Monarchs moved into the Gold Bracket of play as the #4 seed, but lost 9-1 to two-time national champion and last season's runner-up, the University of St. Thomas (Minn.).  The Monarchs move to 10-3 overall this season.  release

March 9, 2007
#23 Methodist Starts 2-0 at NFCA Classic
Sophomore Kayla Talbert goes 2-for-4 with 2 RBI against Mt. Union
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL-  The Monarchs started the NFCA Leadoff Classic off on the right foot with wins over Mt. Union and Webster.  The Monarchs move to 9-3 overall this season going into day two of the classic.  release

March 9, 2007
Methodist Softball Ranked No. 23 in NFCA Weekly Poll
Monarchs start the season 7-3 through the first two weeks of the season

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The newest Division III poll by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association ranks the Methodist Monarchs as No. 23 in the country.  The Monarchs are 7-3 so far this season heading into the NFCA Leadoff Classic this weekend.  release

March 6, 2007
#17 Methodist Earns a Win and a Loss at Huntingdon
Junior Rebekah Kelly blasts a triple into the gap in centerfield to score freshman Megan Hutson
MONTGOMERY, AL-  The Monarchs took game one with a 3-0 win and had game two in its grasp with a 5-0 lead in the seventh inning before the Hawks mounted a comeback to win 6-5.  The Monarchs move to 7-3 overall this season while Huntingdon moves to 4-11.  release

March 3, 2007
#17 Monarchs Split in Final Day at Atlantic vs. East Challenge
Methodist comes from behind to defeat Mary Washington 6-2
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA-  After two wins on Friday, the Monarchs came back Saturday morning to lose a tough 8-0 game to Roanoke College.  Methodist rebounded in game two of the day taking a 6-2 win over Mary Washington.  The Monarchs move to 6-2 overall this season.  release

March 2, 2007
#17 Monarchs Win Two at Atlantic vs. East Challenge
Methodist knocks off defending National Champions Rutgers-Camden with 8-0 win
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA-  In the first day of the Atlantic versus East Challenge hosted by Virginia Wesleyan, the Monarchs came away with two wins, the biggest against defending National Champions, #2 Rutgers-Camden.  The Monarchs move to 5-1 overall this season.  release

February 27, 2007
#17 Monarchs Split with Christopher Newport
Sophomore Lesley Hewitt grabs second win with 8-2 victory
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Methodist softball team opened conference play on the road Tuesday splitting a doubleheader at Christopher Newport.  The Monarchs dropped the first game 4-3 before defeating the Captains 8-2 in game two.  The Monarchs move to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the USA South while Christopher Newport moves to 5-1 this season and 3-1 in the conference.  release

February 26, 2007
Toth and Beck Honored as USA South Athletes of the Week
Both athletes chosen for the first time this season
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The USA South has announced their athletes of the week.  The conference gives an award for Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week for each sport active during the week.  release

February 24, 2007
Softball Opens Season With Two Wins Over Guilford
Freshman pitcher Emily Beck earns a win and a save in the two games

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Methodist softball team put the Guilford Quakers away early in a 8-0 shutout and held on for a 7-6 win in game two.  The Monarchs start the season 2-0 overall while Guilford falls to 1-7 on the season.  release

February 22, 2007
Methodist Softball Ranked No. 17 in NFCA Preseason Poll
Monarchs receive highest preseason ranking in program history

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The National Fastpitch Coaches Association released the Division III preseason poll on Wednesday ranking the Methodist Monarchs as No. 17 in the country in a tie with Illinois Wesleyan.  Coming off of the team's most successful season to date, the Monarchs have been rewarded with the highest preseason ranking in program history.  release

January 31, 2007
USA South announces preseason polls
Golf, lacrosse, softball, and tennis released today
FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The USA South Conference office released the preseason polls today for the remaining spring sports.  Baseball was released earlier this month.  The polls are based on votes from each conference member's head coach without voting for themselves.  release

2006 Archived Releases
2005 Archived Releases
2004 Archived Releases