FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Averett University softball's 16-game winning streak against Methodist University ended in a pair of losses to the Monarchs. Methodist won 3-0 in the first game, then earned a 7-6 walk-off win against the Cougars.

Averett opened Game 2 with a 2-0 lead on freshman Salem Hill's two-run double to right center in the top of the first inning. The Cougars added another run in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Chloe Horton.

Methodist answered in the third with an RBI single, followed by a sacrifice fly to get back within 3-2. A bases-loaded walk later in the inning tied the game at 3-3. Averett, however, responded in the top of the fourth with an RBI single from freshman Peyton Lowery, which scored junior Karsin Lee to put Averett back in front 4-3.

The Monarchs knotted the game on an RBI single in the fifth, then jumped ahead 6-4 a batter later on a two-run single.

Trailing by two entering the seventh inning, Averett rallied in its final at-bat. Hill smacked an RBI single to right field, and a sacrifice bunt by senior Lauren Johnston scored senior Hannah Thompson to tie it, 6-6. Averett had the go-ahead run at second base, but Methodist got three consecutive outs to get out of the jam. That proved to be crucial.

In the bottom of the seventh, Methodist drew a one-out walk, and Meaghan Himes hit a single up the middle that scored the game-winning run from first base to give the Monarchs the win.
Lowery, Hill, Lee and junior Emily Fugate each had two hits for the Cougars in Game 2.

In the opener, Methodist took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI single. The Monarchs added two more insurance runs in the sixth on an Averett error and an RBI single. Although Averett had four hits, none came in the same inning as the Monarchs kept the Cougars' bats in check in Game 1.
 
 
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