FAYETTEVILLE, NC (02/26/03) - The Methodist Monarch softball team braved both the inclement weather and the Guilford Quakers on Wednesday as they successfully started the 2003 season with a 7-6, 9-0 sweep over Guilford at Monarch Field.

Methodist, the preseason favorite in the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, is 2-0 to start the season, while program Guilford is 0-4.

Behind pitcher Jennifer Sorensen, Methodist raced out to 7-0 lead in the first four innings of game one. Jennifer Patrick doubled to right field, and then scored on an error by Quaker third baseman Rhonda Rogers on a pick-off attempt.

Methodist scored three runs each in the second and fourth innings. Emily Minton scored on a fielder's choice, and Kristen Wallace and Diane Etheridge both scored on an error by Guilford shortstop Carla Cain. Wallace scored in the fourth on an RBI double by Patrick, while Amy Faucette scored on a sacrifice fly by Ashley Abrams and Patrick scored a groundout by Wendy Heath.

Methodist put its reserves on the field in the fifth, and Guilford responded with six runs. Ashley Cooke was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Beth Savy, and then Cain and Jennifer Franklin both scored on an error by Methodist third baseman Megan Newman. Rogers and Kendra Harvey scored on an infield single by Lindsay Paul, and Grace Allen scored when Paul was caught in a rundown trying to steal home.

Methodist wasted little time taking care of business in game two with three runs in the first, second and fourth innings. Patrick's double to centerfield scored Wallace for the first run, and Faucette scored on Abrams' groundout to third. An RBI single by Minton scored Patrick to give the Monarchs a 3-0 lead.

In the second, Methodist loaded the bases with no outs, and Patrick's walk plated Etheridge for the first run of the inning. Wallace then scored on a wild pitch and Patrick scored when Heath grounded out to third.

McCall's RBI single with one out scored Abrams to start the scoring rally in the fourth. Minton followed with an RBI triple and Strittmatter an RBI single.

Sorensen was the winning pitcher in game one, allowing three hits with one strikeout in four innings. Audra Gustafson threw a three-hitter in game two with five strikeouts. For the series, Patrick went 3-for-5 with three doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored, while Wallace went 4-for-7 with four runs scored and Faucette was 4-for-6 with three runs scored.

Cooke had two hits in the series for Guilford, while Jennifer Evans was the losing pitcher both games.