MISENHEIMER, N.C. | Meredith Softball stayed alive in the 2025 USA South Tournament with a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory over William Peace University on Saturday morning at Jack Ingram Field.

QUOTING HEAD COACH KIM SCAVONE:
"The team fought hard today and stayed confident even after we trailed early. Ashbee Standridge was outstanding on defense and at the plate. Our slappers had some terrific at bats and did a great job getting on base for us. Avery Puryear came up big with a clutch hit to tie the game and it was only fitting that it came down to Ashbee to walk it off for us in the end. Kaylee Manning had another great performance in the circle."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh, junior third baseman Ashbee Standridge delivered the decisive knock—a walk-off single to right field scoring Mia Staggs—to complete the comeback and lift the Avenging Angels one step closer to the Championship Series.

Standridge led the charge offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with three RBIs. She put Meredith on the board in the first with a solo home run and later tied the game in the fifth with a sacrifice fly. Her final hit sealed the win in what had been a tightly contested elimination game.

Meredith trailed 3-1, entering the bottom of the fifth after William Peace jumped ahead early, powered by a 4-for-4 day from designated player Reagan Stewart, who accounted for all three Pacers' RBIs.

The Avenging Angels responded with two runs in the fifth to even the score, sparked by aggressive baserunning and timely hitting from Standridge and Avery Puryear, who added an RBI single.

Senior pitcher Kaylee Manning (8-9) was strong in the circle, scattering nine hits over seven innings and holding the Pacers scoreless over the final four frames. She struck out four in a 114-pitch performance to earn the win.

Meredith matched William Peace in hits (9) but played clean defensively, committing no errors compared to the Pacers' one miscue.

Up Next:
Meredith will resume the first inning against Pfeiffer on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. The game was suspended due to consistent rain in the area. The Avenging Angels will work to get the win and force the decisive elimination game.