Methodist Downs Softball

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BURLINGTON, N.C. – Third-seeded Methodist University sent No. 6 Shenandoah into the loser's bracket of the 2010 USA South Conference softball Tournament with a 2-1, 9 inning victory Friday morning at Springwood Park.

Shenandoah (18-16-1) falls into an elimination game at 3:00 against Averett. The Cougars lost 3-0 to N.C. Wesleyan in the opening game of the tournament Friday.

Methodist (18-19) got the game-winning run when Katie Byrd led off the MU ninth with a single to right and was sacrificed to second.

Designated player Jody Eyler then drilled a single into the gap in left center to score Byrd from second and end the contest.

Eyler's walkoff ended a stretch of six scoreless innings for the Monarchs – SU pitcher Brooke Over (10-8) had scattered six hits in the third through eighth innings without giving up a run before Byrd and Eyler combined to end it.

Over struck out eight and allowed the two runs on 10 hits and four walks.

Lysuelle Slaughter was the winner with four innings of scoreless relief. She gave up three hits after coming on for Emily Beck to start the sixth.

Freshman Lauren McCabe scored the Hornets lone run by leading off the fifth with a single to right center and coming home on a Catherine Pruiett single to left center.

McCabe led SU with three hits while Wall and Ashley Plaugher had two each.

Eyler was 3 for 5 for Methodist.