Rocky Mount, N.C. - N.C. Wesleyan's softball team split its midweek doubleheader with the University of Mary Washington at Edge Field, taking game one by a 6-2 score before falling in the nightcap by a 7-2 tally. Shortstop Brittany Manning had a productive day a the plate, going 4-for-7 with a triple and three RBIs.
In the opener, UMW struck first with a pair of unearned runs in the first. The 2-0 lead would stand until the bottom of the fifth when NCWC struck for four runs on five hits. Manning, Kaitlyn Checkan, and Shelby Godwin each collected an RBI in the frame to help put the Bishops on top. Wesleyan added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth as Hannah Ivester and Manning each drove in runs.
The 6-2 lead was more than enough for junior hurler Logan Lowery (4-2), who scattered five hits and struck out seven en route to her fourth win of the season.
Game two saw the Eagles (3-3) again strike first with a trio of scores in the third inning. NCWC got one back in the bottom of the frame on Manning's RBI-triple, but UMW crossed two more runners in the fourth to forge a 5-1 advantage. Junior Natalie Boykin's RBI-groundout in Wesleyan's at-bat got the Bishops back to within three, but the Eagles plated single runs in the fifth and sixth to complete the scoring. The game was called due to darkness after six complete.
Godwin (0-3) suffered the loss in the circle after giving up five runs on seven hits in four innings of work. Senior Tiffany Manning went 2-for-3 at the plate to pace the offense.
The Bishops (4-6) open up USA South play over the weekend at Ferrum and Mary Baldwin. Saturday's twinbill at Ferrum is slated for a 1:00pm start.