Softball Dethrones Monarchs

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Shenandoah University posted its first-ever USA South Conference softball sweep over Methodist University Sunday afternoon with 1-0 and 2-1 victories over the Monarchs.

Shenandoah (20-8, 9-3 USA South) got a one-hitter from senior Katie Haskins in the opener to help dispatch the Monarchs (14-20, 7-7).

Haskins finished off her outstanding week by striking out 12 MU batters and missing her third career no-hitter by allowing a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh.

In 27.2 innings over five appearances last week, Haskins struck out 33 against three walks and earned four wins and one save.

SU got the only run of the ballgame in the top of the third as sophomore Catherine Pruiett singled through the right side, moved to second on a walk and scored on Jesse Heins' single to right center.

Haskins needed no additional help as just two runners advanced into scoring position the rest of way. She retired the side in order in the first, third, fifth and sixth innings and struck out one batter in every inning.

A two-run first inning of game two provided freshman Brooke Over (6-5) all of the offense she would need.

Both runs came with two outs. Cat Beuerle hit her first home run of the season with a solo shot to left center before Lauren Wall singled up the middle. Aggressive base-running paid off one batter later as Wall came all the way around from first to score on Heins' double to left center when the Monarchs relay throw sailed high.

Over, who saw Methodist cut its deficit in half with a run on one hit and a walk in the third, won her third game of the week by facing one batter over the minimum in the final three innings.

She allowed the one run on four hits and four walks whlie striking out two.

Box Scores

The Hornets travel to Methodist on Wednesday for a 4:30 USA South Conference doubleheader.