RALEIGH, N.C. - The postseason path tightened Friday for the No. 2 seed Meredith College softball team, as the Avenging Angels split a pair of USA South Tournament games on their home field. After dropping the opener to No. 3 seed NC Wesleyan, Meredith responded with a dominant elimination-game victory over No. 7 Methodist to keep its championship hopes alive. With the results, the Raleigh bracket is now down to just Meredith and NC Wesleyan, while the opposite side at Pfeiffer features Pfeiffer and Greensboro. The winners from each site will meet next weekend in a best-of-three series at the highest remaining seed.
Game 1: Meredith vs. NC Wesleyan (L, 12-2)
NC Wesleyan struck early and never let up, plating four runs in the opening inning and adding multiple big frames to secure a 12-2 victory over Meredith in the tournament opener.
The Battling Bishops capitalized on timely hitting and power at the plate, finishing with 12 hits, including two home runs, to build separation. Meredith found limited offensive rhythm, tallying just three hits on the afternoon, highlighted by a triple from Abigail Holt and a late RBI from Palmer Martin.
Despite the setback, the Angels turned their focus quickly to the elimination game, knowing a win would extend their postseason run.
Game 2: Meredith vs. Methodist (W, 8-1)
Facing elimination, Meredith delivered when it mattered most, erupting for a seven-run sixth inning to defeat Methodist, 8-1.
Locked in a 1-1 battle entering the bottom of the sixth, Lillie Davis ignited the breakthrough moment with a towering three-run home run over the left field fence, giving the Angels a 4-1 lead and shifting all momentum firmly to the home side.
The offensive surge continued as Meredith poured on the pressure, scoring seven runs in the inning behind clutch hits from Tess Spangenburg and Morgan Knight to put the game out of reach.
In the circle, Davis was equally dominant, tossing a complete game and allowing just one run on three hits while earning the win.
Key Performances
- Lillie Davis: 2-for-4 with a three-run home run that sparked Meredith's decisive sixth-inning rally; also tossed a complete-game victory, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits
- Morgan Knight: 2-for-3 with a double and 3 RBI, delivering the knockout blow with a bases-clearing hit during Meredith's seven-run sixth inning
- Tess Spangenburg: Reached base four times with 2 hits and 2 RBI, including a key RBI single in the sixth that helped extend the rally
- Abigail Holt: Accounted for one of Meredith's three hits in Game 1, roping a triple and scoring a run to provide a spark offensively
- Meredith Offense (Game 2): Totaled 11 hits and 8 runs, breaking open a 1-1 game with a seven-run inning fueled by timely hitting and aggressive baserunning.
Up Next
Meredith advances to face NC Wesleyan in a decisive matchup on Sunday, May 3 at 1:00pm, with a spot in next weekend's USA South Championship series on the line.
2026 USA South Softball Tournament Schedule (all times ET)
Bracket #1 (hosted by #1 Pfeiffer)
Thursday, April 30
Game 1: #8 Salem - 0 #1 Pfeiffer - 9 (5 inn.)
Game 2: #5 Southern Virginia - 0 #4 Greensboro - 1
Friday, May 1
Game 3: #8 Salem - 1 #5 Southern Virginia - 9 (5 inn.)
Game 4: #1 Pfeiffer - 1 #4 Greensboro - 8
Game 5: #5 Southern Virginia - 3 #1 Pfeiffer - 9
Saturday, May 2
Game 6: #4 Greensboro vs. #1 Pfeiffer - 2:00pm
Game 7 (if necessary): Same teams as Game 6 - 4:00pm
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 - 4 #6 William Peace - 0
Game 4: #2 Meredith - 2 #3 N.C. Wesleyan - 12
Game 5: #7 Methodist - 1 #2 Meredith - 8
Sunday, May 3
Game 6: #3 N.C. Wesleyan vs. #2 Meredith - 1:00pm
Game 7 (if necessary): Same teams as Game 6 - 3:00pm
Best-of-Three Championship Series (hosted by highest-remaining seed after bracket play)
Friday, May 8
Game 1: Bracket #2 Winner vs. Bracket #1 Winner
Game 2: Bracket #2 Winner vs. Bracket #1 Winner
Saturday, May 9
Game 3 (if necessary): Bracket #2 Winner vs. Bracket #1 Winner
