WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University battled hard for 16 innings Tuesday afternoon, but came up short in 4-0 and 10-9 USA South Conference losses to Methodist University.
Methodist (21-6, 6-2 USA South) needed extra innings in game two. After leading the 9-5 in the fourth, MU saw the Hornets (10-12, 4-6) tie the game with three runs in the bottom of the frame and two more in the fifth.
The two teams then remained tied for the next three innings before the Lady Monarchs were able to push across the winning run in the top of the ninth. With two outs, Rebekah Kelly tripled home pinch runner Emily Gleason from second base.
Gleason ran for Nicole Springer, who led off the frame by reaching on a fielder's choice. Springer attempted to sacrifice placed runner Kim Bartlett to third, but Bartlett was cut down on the play.
Gleason then ran for Springer, was sacrificed to second and came home on Kelly's triple into the left center gap.
Shenandoah had a chance to win it in the bottom of the seventh when catcherÂ
Catherine Beuerle hit a one-out double off the left field fence, but Beuerle was stranded on third following a pair of groundouts to short.
PitcherÂ
Katie Haskins (4-8), who came on to start the sixth, took the loss. She allowed one run on three hits in 4.0 innings. Haskins was one of three players, along withÂ
Mandy Reed andÂ
Brittany Bailey , to have three hits in the contest.
Kelly was 3-for-5 and Kayla Talbert 3-for-4 for MU. The Lady Monarchs had 15 hits to the Hornets 14.
Lesley Hewitt (8-2) won both ends of the doubleheader with the game two victory coming in relief. She allowed just three hits in 4.2 innings of game two action.
In game one, Hewitt also allowed three hits in posting the shutout. She struck out six and walked three in the complete game performance and only saw two runners reach scoring position.
Kelly led the visitors offensively in that game as well - she was 2-for-4 with three runs batted in.
Box ScoreÂ
Shenandoah hosts Mary Washington on Saturday in a 2:00 non-league doubleheader.
