Pacer Run Ends with 8-1 Loss to Monarchs

Burlington, NC—The Monarchs of Methodist University ended the tournament run of the Peace College Pacers with an 8-1 victory at Springwood Park in Burlington, NC.   Methodist (34-9) advances to challenge Greensboro College in tonight’s elimination game.  The Pacers complete their strongest-ever season 27-17.  

Hannah Stutts earned her ninth win of the season allowing only one earned run in four hits and one strikeout.  Ashley Stansbury took the loss for Peace (13-10) giving up six earned runs in eight hits with one strikeout.  Stephanie Monette entered in relief for Stansbury in the fifth to finish the game allowing three hits in the final three innings.

Methodist earned two runs off one hit to start the scoring for either team in the top of the second.  Sara Poling drew a walk to start the top of the inning.  Her pinch runner Brittany Melton advanced to second off a sacrifice from Crystal Metzger.  Stutts reached on a walk before being thrown out a second off a fielder’s choice from Tabatha Stephenson.  A passed ball put the Monarchs on the scoreboard and Cortney Kerns added the second run with an RBI single to left center field.  Kerns ended the frame trying to pick up another base.  

Pacer Joanie Blevins drew a walk to begin the bottom of the inning.  Holly Braswell moved Blevins to second on a sacrifice.  DeLeone hit an RBI single between third and short to score Blevins and put the Pacers on the board.

Methodist kept the bats moving with two singles to start the third from Megan Hutson and Conference Player of the Year Rebekah Kelly.  Brandi Chandler sacrificed the runners into scoring position for Kayla Talbert who scored Hutson in the next at bat.  

After ending the inning quickly for Peace, the Monarchs returned to the dugout for a four-run rally.  Metzger hit the first of three Monarch singles to left.  Stutts added the second.  A fielder’s choice from Kerns forced Metzger out at third.  Kelly scored Kerns and Caline Daun, who entered the field earlier to run for Stutts.  Chandler pushed the lead to six scoring two runs off her single up the middle.

Lindsey Moore singled for Peace to start off the bottom of the fourth before a Monarch double play ended the threat.  The Pacers held the Monarchs scoreless in the top of the fifth leaving Poling at third base.  Three quick plays by Methodist ended the inning.  Methodist earned a final run off an RBI from Metzger to seal the win in the sixth and advance to the next round.