 Softball |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
April 14, 2007 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. Shenandoah took an early one run lead in the top of the third inning on a RBI double by Brittany Bailey, but Rebekah Kelly struck back with a two-run home run in the bottom of the inning after Jennifer Brophy led off with a single. The Monarchs held a 2-1 lead entering the fourth, but the Hornets capitalized on four hits and an error to score four runs in the top of the inning to take a 5-2 lead. Determined not to go quietly, the Monarchs started a rally of their own when Candace Hudgins led off with a walk. Bethany Thurston came on as a pinch runner and stole second to move into scoring position. LaTiana Headen laid down the bunt single to put runners on first and third when Nicole Springer tied the game with a three-run blast over the fence. Methodist pitcher Emily Beck who entered for starter Lesley Hewitt in the fourth held the Hornets scoreless in the fifth while the Monarchs' offense kept battling. Hudgins reached second on a defensive error and went on to score the game-winning run on a two-out RBI single by Brophy. The Monarchs defense held firm in the final two innings to preserve the win and the championship. Beck was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player while Headen and Kelly also received All-Tournament honors. The USA South All-Tournament Team:
|
