FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Methodist scored seven runs in each game of a doubleheader to complete a sweep of Salem (7-1 / 7-0) in USA South Conference softball action on Tuesday, April 12th, in Fayetteville, N.C.
GAME 1: Methodist 7, Salem 1
Bethany Junker reached base on a walk to open the first for the Monarchs, moving into scoring position with a stolen base with Kayleigh Raynor at the dish. Raynor capitalized on a runner in scoring position opportunity, delivering a double down the left field line as Methodist assumed the 1-0 advantage. Raynor came home three batters later, scoring on a wild pitch, for the second run of the frame.
The Monarchs tacked on five more runs in the home half of the second, grabbing a 7-0 advantage. A trio of walks by Rebekah Haigler, Haven Williams and Junker loaded the bases with one out for Fethke. Fethke seized the scoring opportunity, lifting a grand slam out of Don Price Field, for her team-leading fifth home run of the season.
Heather Tsapp kept the bats hot for the Monarchs in the second with a double to right, moving to third courtesy a single to right centerfield by Kaley Evans. Meghan Himes was responsible for the final run of the frame with a sacrifice fly to centerfield, scoring Tsapp from third.
Brianne Coleman put Salem (5-20, 2-9 USA South) on the scoreboard in the fourth, roping a one-out triple down the right field line off Brittany Jones. Coleman came home on a throwing error by the catcher, making for a 7-1 Methodist lead.
Arianna Ryan also came through with a hit for the Spirits, extending her hitting streak to three games with a single in the first inning. Teammate Katie Gerhardt dropped to 1-5 in the loss, tossing 1.1 innings, allowing six runs on two hits while striking out one Monarch hitter.
Brittany Jones (11-7) picked up the win in the circle for Methodist with the complete game three-hitter. She tallied nine strikeouts along the way.
GAME 2: Methodist 7, Salem 0
Methodist pitcher Alyssa Barwick (4-7) limited the Spirits to just one hit in the contest as the Monarchs completed the doubleheader sweep with a 7-0 victory.
Barwick tossed the complete game victory, surrendering just one hit to Salem's (5-21, 2-10 USA South) Faythe Bowles, while striking out six batters along the way. Bowles delivered the hit in the seventh, halting a no-hit bid by Barwick.
Methodist, which improved to 16-17 overall and 8-4 in the USA South, came through with four extra-base hits. They included a double from Madison Sanchez and triples from Haley Fethke, Meaghan Himes and Maria Kollar.
The first run came in the bottom of the first for the Monarchs, when Kayleigh Raynor scored an unearned run on a dropped fly ball.
Three more runs crossed the plate for Methodist in the fourth, stretching the lead to 4-0. Sanchez came through with an RBI single that scored Himes for the first of the three runs. Kollar came home on a wild pitch and Bethany Junker plated Sanchez with a sacrifice fly to center.
Kollar's bases-clearing triple in the fifth scored the first of two runs as she brought home Himes. Kollar scored moments later when Sanchez delivered a double to center, making for a 6-0 lead.
The final run of the game came in the sixth by virtue of a triple to right by Fethke, which scored Junker.
Methodist came through with 10 hits, receiving two each from Raynor, Fethke, Himes and Sanchez.
Salem hurler Madison Thomas (1-6) tossed six innings, allowed just three earned runs and came through with two strikeouts.
Salem returns to Blixt Field on Saturday, April 16th, to host USA South foe Pfeiffer for a doubleheader that is set for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.