RALEIGH, N.C. - The Meredith Softball Program took down No. 9 Virginia Wesleyan University to open the 2024 season 3-2 Saturday afternoon before falling 12-4 in game two. The three-time National Champions Virginia Wesleyan have not dropped a season opener since 2012. 

Fifth year Hannah Weigle put on a show in the circle for the Angels earning the victory going 5.2 innings with three strikeouts and only giving up two earned runs on seven hits. 

The offense popped off in the bottom of the first for Meredith where they scored all three runs with two outs in the inning. The rally started when senior Mia Staggs walked and advanced to second on a single from sophomore Avery Puryear. Staggs came around to score after senior Savannah Talley reached on an error on a hard-hit ball.

Sophomore transfer Tess Spangenburg then tripled to centerfield clearing the bases and giving Meredith a 3-0 lead in her first at-bat as an Avenging Angel. 

Weigle dealt for the next few innings before running into a jam in the top of the sixth inning. Sophomore Lillie Davis entered the circle to earn the last out and get the Angels out of the jam clinging to a one-run lead.

After a flyout, Davis walked one batter in the seventh inning before earning the final two outs securing the save and victory for the Angels. This is only the second win over a top-10 team in program history. 

The Marlin offense came alive in game two, scoring four in the first inning along with eight in the final two innings in the five-inning game. 

Puryear picked up two hits with an RBI while Talley also posted an RBI with a hit. 

The Angels are right back in action tomorrow when they host Guilford for a doubleheader with game one starting at noon.