March 8, 2008
Methodist Splits in Final Day at Rebel Games
Sophomore Megan Hutson drove in two runs against Washington (MO)

KISSIMMEE, FL - The Monarchs finished up at the Rebel Games on Friday with a 7-6 loss to Washington (MO) and a 6-2 win over Rochester Institute of Technology. Methodist returns with a 10-4 overall record while Washington is at 3-2 and RIT moves to 4-6 this season.

Methodist took an early lead in game one against Washington when senior Rebekah Kelly led off with a single. Freshman Jody Eyler hit a two-out double to score Kelly for the 1-0 lead. Washington came back and scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-1 lead. The Monarchs closed the lead to one in the second inning. Freshman Tabatha Stephenson led off with a single and freshman Brandi Chandler sacrificed her to second. Kelly's single scored Stephenson from second. In the fifth inning Eyler led off with a single to right field and Talbert lays down the bunt to put runners on first and second. Freshman Brittany Melton moves both runners with the sacrifice bunt. Freshman Hannah Stutts reaches on an error while pinch runner sophomore Cortney Kerns is able to score on the play. Chandler hit a double to right center to score Talbert for the 4-3 lead. Washington came right back and scored four runs in the fifth on three hits for the 7-4 lead. Both teams came up empty in the sixth but Methodist came on strong in the seventh. Junior Sara Poling got on with a walk and freshman Kayla McLean moved Poling to second with another walk. Chandler reached on a fielder's choice where McLean was called out at second but Kelly was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Sophomore Megan Hutson hit a single up the middle to score Poling and McLean. Sophomore Crystal Metzger walks to load the bases again and freshman Darci Martin hits one off the pitcher's glove where it looks like Methodist might be able to tie the game, but the third baseman makes the play for Washington to take the 7-6 win. Emily Beck, Lesley Hewitt and Hannah Stutts all pitched for the Monarchs.

In the second game against RIT Hutson hit a triple in the first inning and scored on the sacrifice fly from Metzger. Talbert led off the second with a double to left center and McLean hit a single through the left side to move Talbert to third. Chandler reached first on an error that scored Talbert for the 2-0 lead. In the third inning, Hutson walked and Metzger reached on an error by the catcher. Eyler hit a single to right field to score Hutson and Talbert followed up with a double to score Metzger and Eyler for the 5-0 lead. Junior Caline Daun laid down the perfect bunt for the suicide squeeze to move pinch runner Kim Barlett and Kerns finished up the hitting with a single for Methodist to take the 6-0 lead. RIT managed two runs in the fifth on three hits, but the Monarchs closed out with the 6-2 win.

Methodist returns to Fayetteville to host their first home game of the season on Tuesday against Swarthmore at 2 pm.