FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - The NC Wesleyan College softball team dropped a pair of one-run heartbreakers on the road at the Univ. of Mary Washington on Tuesday afternoon.
Wesleyan first fell 2-1 in 9 innings in game one and then 4-3 in six innings in game two.
GAME 1: UMW 2, NCWC 1 (9 INNINGS)
The low-scoring game one was scoreless until the 6th inning when the Eagles took a 1-0 lead off Bishop senior pitcher Beth Braswell. Wesleyan then came back in the 7th to tie the game on a UMW error with the bases loaded.
The inning began wiht a lineout before back-to-back singles from senior SS Meredith Mize and soph. OF Logan Winstead. After another out, senior 3B Kayla Molivas then walked to load the bases. Senior 1B Bryona Knight then reached base via an error by the UMW pitcher scoring Winstead on the play. Chelsea Nixon then grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
The game would then go to extra innings, but UMW would win the game on a sac fly in the 9th.
Braswell (4-2) threw another complete game going all 8 and 2/3 innings allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits, a walk, and a season-high 14 strikeouts.
Winstead and senior 2B Meredith Booth led the Bishops with two hits apiece while Winstead and Nichole Mooney also stole bases.
GAME 2: UMW 4, NCWC 3 (6 INNINGS)
Game two began with the Lady Bishops taking a 3-0 lead after two innings. 3B Brianna Myers drove in their first run with her RBI single scring Booth, who had doubled. then with the bases loaded, Winstead came up and roped a two-run single scoring Myers and freshman 1B Abby Todd.
However, NCWC would then be held scoreless over the final four innings as UMW would slowly chip away scoring a run in the third and then three more in the 4th on three RBI singles.
The game was called after the top of the 6th because of darkness. Senior pitcher Grace Preston (0-3) tossed all five innings allowing 8 hits and 4 runs (only 1 earned) with a strikeout. Winstead led the team with two hits, 2 RBIs and a stolen base.
Wesleyan falls to 5-5 with the defeats while UMW improves to 3-1.
the Bishops will return to action next Wednesday, March 24 at home vs. Carolina University as their games with William Peace were postponed this weekend.