 Softball |
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March 26, 2008 FAYETTEVILLE, NC - The Monarchs' softball team kept moving up the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) national poll on Wednesday with a #11 ranking. Methodist kept their winning ways with 6-0 and 20-0 wins over Meredith College. The Monarchs move to 22-4 overall and 6-0 in the USA South while Meredith moves to 9-13 overall and 3-3 in the conference. The Monarchs jumped on the Avenging Angels right away with two runs in the first inning on just one hit. Senior Rebekah Kelly drew a lead-off walk and sophomore Megan Hutson singled before both runners scored on a passed ball. In the fourth inning the Monarchs loaded the bases on walks and junior Jennifer Brophy was hit by a pitch to score Kelly. Junior Kayla Talbert reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Hutson to score for the 4-0 lead. In the fifth inning the Monarchs tallied two more runs when freshman Hannah Stutts led off with a hit by pitch. Junior Caline Daun entered to pinch run and sophomore Virginia Harrington sacrificed her to second. Freshman Tabatha Stephenson singled to center for Daun to advance to third. Daun scored on a single from Kelly. Hutson was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Stephenson scored on a passed ball. Junior pitcher pitched five innings for the win while freshman Courtney Blann entered in relief. Methodist jumped on the Angels early in game two scoring 13 runs in the first inning. The Monarchs had five hits with four walks and a hit by pitch to go along with four defensive errors by Meredith. Hutson, sophomore Crystal Metzger, Talbert, junior Sara Poling and freshman Brandi Chandler each had hits in the inning. In the second inning Harrington led off with a walk and advanced to third on a double from freshman Kayla McLean. Senior Billye Rivas singled to left field to score Harrington and McLean scored on a wild pitch. Sophomore Kim Bartlett walked and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Sophomore Bethany Thurston walked to load the bases and Chandler's single scored Rivas and Bartlett. Sophomore Cortney Kerns followed up with a RBI single to score Thurston. Methodist took an 18-0 lead into the third and scored two more runs after Daun led off with a double to center. Daun scored on McLean's RBI single and McLean went on to score after a Meredith error. Freshman Jennie Price earned the win in three innings pitched allowing just one hit while sophomore Emily Beck pitched two hitless innings in relief. The Monarchs will host Virginia Wesleyan Thursday at 2 pm. |
