FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Sweet Briar College softball team (2-2, 0-0 ODAC) split today's doubleheader at the Methodist University Monarchs (3-3, 0-0 USA South). The Vixens fell in game one, 5-3, but took game two, 9-7.
Game One
The Vixens started strong, taking an early 1-0 lead in the first inning as sophomore
Jordan Martin (Wilmington, N.C.) scored on a throwing error.
However, the Monarchs responded with a run of their own in the second inning to tie the game up.
Sweet Briar managed to score a run in the fourth inning as sophomore
Ambyre Taylor's (Arrington, Va.) single to left field brought first-year
Grace Rokos (Jacksonville, N.C.) home, but Methodist's three-run fourth inning extended their lead to 5-2.
Despite a late rally by the Vixens, which saw Rokos score her second run of the game on a sacrifice fly to center field by junior
Lauren Jamerson (Buckingham, Va.), the game concluded with a score of 5-3 in favor of the Monarchs.
Taylor got the start in the circle for Sweet Briar and stuck out three through her three innings of work.
Game Two
In the second game, Sweet Briar got the scoring started as a double from first-year
Abi Sawyers (Matthews, N.C.) brought home junior
Kaylie Hudson (Lynchburg, Va.), Jamerson and Martin for the 3-0 lead.
However, Methodist's two-run first inning would bring the two teams within one run of one another heading into the second.
Despite tying the game up in the third, the Vixens tacked on three more runs in the fourth to take a 6-3 lead. First-year
Emily Cottingham (Chesterfield, Va.), Rokos and sophomore
Lacey Steppe (Charlotte County, Va.) all crossed home plate to tally the three runs.
In the top of the fifth, sophomore
Ruby Hite (Clarksville, Va.) scored on an error while Jamerson and Hudson added two more runs to Sweet Briar's total in the top of the sixth.
Despite a late four-run rally by the home team, the Vixens held on to take the 9-7 victory.
Sawyer pitched a complete game while striking out three batters to earn her first collegiate victory.
Highlights
- Sawyers led the team with three hits through four at-bats.
- Sophomore Jordan Dorrier (Buckingham, Va.) totaled seven putouts in game one while first-year Annie Purvis (Madison Heights, Va.) had nine in game two.
What's Next
The Vixens will host Southern Virginia for the 2025 home opened on Feb. 27th before heading to the DMV to take on Gallaudet on March 1st and Notre Dame of Maryland on March 2nd.
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