ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- Meredith College softball cruised past the N.C. Wesleyan Bishops 11-3 to finish early in game one of Saturday's USA South action. But the hosts responded with a 2-1 game two win to cap off the doubleheader. Maria Annunziata and Sarah Watson led Meredith with six hits and six runs batted in on the day.

Game 1
Erica Occena led off a series of three consecutive singles, including one each from Haley Ervin and Brittany Bucklin, to load the bases in the first inning, and Annunziata drove in two with help from an infield over throw. Rachel Peel hit an RBI-double, and Eran Artigues and Sarah Watson followed with a pair of hits to score Meredith's fourth and fifth run in the top of the first.

Occena stepped to the plate a second time in the frame and reached on an outfield misstep scoring Watson before Wesleyan changed pitchers to finally end the inning.

Taylor Jackson managed the first three Bishop batters to return Bucklin to the plate for a solo home run. Annunziata doubled and Peel moved her to the corner with a single. Watson drove in Annunziata to extend the Angels lead to eight heading into the bottom of the second.

N.C. Wesleyan rallied in the bottom of the stanza scoring three runs on four hits, but Merdith continued to attack. Singles from Kelsey Mabe and Ervin set up Annunziata's next two RBIs with her second double on the day in the third inning.

In the fifth and final frame, Occena and Ervin advanced on a pair of singles, and Annunziata finished off the win scoring her fourth run.

With her 29th career win Jackson moved into second on Meredith's all-time leader board. She allowed five hits with one earned run, one walk, and four strikeouts for the Angels. Logan Lowery took the loss for Wesleyan facing the first 10 Avenging Angels.

Game 2
The Angels peppered their three hits on the game through three innings with singles from Julia Allsbrook, Watson, and Ervin. But Meredith's lone run would come in the fifth on a Bishop misstep with Annunziata at-bat. Mabe, who advanced on a walk, scored on the play.

Julia Cerasi recorded the loss for the Angels facing all 26 Wesleyan batters. She earned neither of the runs scored by the Bishops but allowed five hits striking out two with one walk. N.C. Wesleyan's Shelby Goodwin also pitched a complete game with no earned runs. She struck out seven Angels and allowed three hits with four walks.

The Meredith defense struggled in the first inning beginning with the lead off batter and allowed both runs to score unearned.

With the threat of winter weather Sunday along with frigid temps, the conference doubleheader at MU has been postponed until Tuesday afternoon. The first pitch is slated for 3 p.m. at Don Price Field. Follow the action live HERE.