RALEIGH, N.C. — The second-seeded Meredith College Avenging Angels opened the 2026 USA South Softball Tournament in commanding fashion Thursday, shutting out Methodist University, 6-0, at Meredith College. Hosting a tournament bracket for the first time as the No. 2 seed, the Angels combined timely hitting with a dominant performance in the circle to advance on day one.
Game Recap: Meredith 6, Methodist 0
Meredith wasted no time setting the tone, plating three runs in the opening inning and never looking back. The early surge was fueled by aggressive baserunning and productive situational hitting, including sacrifice flies from Ashbee Standridge and Tess Spangenburg and an RBI single from Kaydon Roberson.
The Angels extended their lead in the third inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Standridge, before adding an insurance run in the fifth to secure the 6-0 victory. Meredith totaled eight hits on the day while holding Methodist to just three.
In the circle, Lillie Davis delivered a dominant performance, tossing a complete-game shutout. She scattered just three hits over seven innings, working through multiple scoring threats and keeping the Monarchs off the board.
Key Performances
- Lillie Davis: Complete-game shutout (7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R), while also going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored
- Ashbee Standridge: 1-for-2 with a double and 3 RBI, including a key two-run hit in the third inning
- Mariah Bell: 2-for-3 with an RBI to help extend the Meredith lead
- Kaydon Roberson: RBI single in the first inning to spark early momentum
- Abigail Holt: Reached base twice and scored two runs from the top of the lineup
Up Next
The tournament continues tomorrow with three games at Meredith College. Meredith will return to action in the 1:00 p.m. game against NC Wesleyan University.
Bracket #2 (hosted by #2 Meredith)
Thursday, April 30
Game 1: #7 Methodist - 0 #2 Meredith - 6
Game 2: #6 William Peace - 2 #3 N.C. Wesleyan - 3
Friday, May 1
Game 3: #7 Methodist vs. #6 William Peace
Game 4: #2 Meredith vs. #3 N.C. Wesleyan
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4
Saturday, May 2
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5
Game 7 (if necessary): Same teams as Game 6
