Rocky Mount, N.C. - North Carolina Wesleyan's softball team saw its 2015 season come to an end on Friday afternoon at the USA South Conference Tournament hosted by the City of Rocky Mount. The 8th-seeded Bishops fell to top-seeded Averett by an 8-0 score in the opening round, then dropped an elimination game versus 5th-seeded Huntingdon by a 3-1 tally.
Conference Pitcher of the Year Mary Beth Smith stifled Wesleyan's bats in the opener, tossing a no-hitter for the nationally-ranked Cougars and facing just one batter over the minimum. Smith also turned in a pair of hits offensively, which included an RBI-single in the third.
Facing Huntingdon in the afternoon's first elimination game, the Bishops fell behind 2-0 in the fifth but threatened in the sixth. After an RBI-single by freshman Kaitlyn Checkan cut the deficit in half, Wesleyan loaded the bases on a walk to senior Carla Matthews. Senior Sarah Roberts then looked to have beaten out an infield hit to second base that would have tied the game, but a tough call at first went the way of the Hawks and preserved their 2-1 advantage.
HC went on to add an insurance run in their half of the frame, while Hawk hurler Lindsey Selph (5-5) tossed a 1-2-3 seventh to secure the 3-1 final. Junior Jasmine Edgren (10-6) suffered the tough loss on the mound.
Wesleyan finishes the season with a 17-17 overall record and says farewell to seniors Laura Roberts, Kendra Hoes, Carla Matthews, Logan McNinch and Sarah Roberts.