FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Messiah softball team fell in both games of their doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Methodist University. In game one, the Falcons took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning thanks to a McKenzie Tebbs double. However, the two teams were tied 2-2 after seven innings and went into extras. The Monarchs were able to score twice in the bottom of the eighth after the Falcons scored in the top of the inning to win the game 4-3.

In game two, Messiah jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after taking advantage of some Monarch miscues in the top of the third inning. Methodist used a balanced approach at the plate, recording 11 hits to help score four runs over the remainder of the game and take the 4-3 victory in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Game 1, Methodist University Defeats Messiah College 4-3
Five freshmen made their Falcon debut in the starting lineup in game one of the doubleheader. As mentioned, McKenzie Tebbs recorded the first RBI of the season for the Falcons thanks to her double in the top of the fourth inning, which allowed Abigail Bartels to score. Tebbs ended the first game going 3-3 at the plate.

In extra innings, Messiah used a Monarch error to retake the lead 3-2. Methodist ultimately then plated two in the bottom of the eighth and walked it off on a Heather Tsapp double to win it 4-3. Sophomore Madison Walter made her Falcon debut against the Monarchs, striking out eight in 7 and two-thirds innings in the circle.
 
Game 2, Methodist University Defeats Messiah College 4-3
The Falcons took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third against the Monarchs in game two. A sacrifice bunt from Elena Rosas turned into a Methodist error to help allow Jaelynn Harbold to score the first run of the game. The inning was capped off with an Abigail Bartels single to drive in Rosas before a Monarch error allowed McKenzie Tebbs to score and make it 3-0.

Methodist was able to manufacture a single run in the bottom of the third before doing the same in innings five, six, and seven to pick up the 4-3 win. Olivia Denmark led Messiah with a pair of hits in the contest.

What's Up Next
The Falcons will see the field next when they travel to Fredericksburg, Va. next Saturday to take on Mary Washington University in a doubleheader beginning at Noon. When these two teams met last season on Mar. 12, the Falcons picked up two wins, 6-5 and 11-8.