WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University completed its USA South Conference softball schedule Saturday afternoon by splitting a pair of games with Methodist.

Shenandoah (18-13-1, 10-8) was a 9-4 winner in the opener before the Monarchs came back to win 7-5 in game two.

The two teams will meet again the opening game of the USA South Conference Tournament, as Methodist (17-19, 3-5) claims the No. 3 seed and SU the six.

The double-elimination tournament will once again be played at Springwood Park in Burlington, N.C. as part of the USA South Conference Spring Sports Festival. SU and the Monarchs will play at 11 a.m. in Friday's opening round.

Sophomore Brooke Over (10-6) struck out nine in a complete game performance in game one.

Her offense staked her to a 5-0 lead after two innings and aside from giving up two runs on three hits in the third and sixth, Over cruised to the win.

Offensively, freshman Denise Mitchell had the big hit with a three-run triple to right center that made the score 5-0.

Classmate Emmalie Spina also had a good start to the day by going 2 for 3 with a pair of RBI on a two-run double in the third.

MU jumped all over game two starter Amanda Litwin (8-7) for five runs on five hits in the top of the first - Kimber Hall hit a three-run HR that made it 5-0 and ended Litwin's day.

Freshman Ashley Stegemiller allowed one run on five hits in the ensuing 5 2/3 before Over pitched the seventh.

Shenandoah, with three runs in the first and two in the fifth brought it to 6-5, but could get no closer.

Shatora Lane was 3 for 4 with Jolisa Jones and Lauren Wall each getting two hits.

SU will prepare for the conference tournament with a non-league doubleheader at Bridgewater on Tuesday.

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