FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Game One: William Peace University softball dropped the first game of the series against Methodist University on Saturday afternoon, falling 4-1 in a tightly contested USA South match up.

The Pacers (15-12, 2-5 USA South) struck first in the second inning after a lead off walk by Reagan Stewart. A clutch double from Megan McAnany to left-center drove in Stewart, giving WPU an early 1-0 lead. McAnany finished the game 2-for-3 with an RBI and a double to lead the offense.

Despite a promising start, WPU struggled to capitalize on additional opportunities, stranding five runners and being held scoreless over the final five innings. Methodist (10-17, 3-4 USA South) responded in the fifth inning with a four-run rally, capitalizing on two WPU defensive errors. 

Game Two: The Pacers came up just short in game two with a 5-4 loss. Despite out-hitting the Monarchs 10-9, key defensive miscues proved to be the difference as the Pacers dropped to 15-13 (2-6 USA South) on the season.

The Pacers got off to a strong start, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning after an RBI single from Reagan Stewart. Stewart led the offense with a 2-for-4 performance, including a double and two RBIs. Taryn Shelton and Cierra Lear also provided offensive sparks—Shelton tripled in the seventh while Lear notched a 3-for-3 day at the plate with a walk.

After William Peace took a 3-1 lead in the third, Methodist responded with a three-run inning, capitalizing on a WPU fielding error and a clutch two-RBI double. An unearned run in the fourth gave the Monarchs the edge they needed, extending the lead to 5-3.

The Pacers continued to battle, with Lear scoring in the sixth off a Stewart double to bring it to 5-4, but Methodist's defense held strong in the final frame despite Shelton's late triple.