The Central Methodist University softball team picked up its 32nd win of the season, but suffered its first home loss of the season in game two as the Lady Eagles split their Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader against William Jewell Saturday afternoon. CMU won game one 3-1, but fell to the Cardinals 8-1 in game two.

In game one, sophomore Erika Reinagel (Kelso, Mo.) singled to the infield to lead-off game one for Central Methodist. Sophomore Jordyn Tolliver (Centralia, Mo.) drew a one-out walk, and senior Stephanie Sullivant (Liberty, Mo.) hit an RBI single past the shortstop to give CMU a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. In the bottom of the fifth inning, freshman Mary Kate Townley (O'Fallon, Mo.) hit a lead-off single, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Reinagel. Junior Kelsey Johnley (Troy, Mo.) followed with a triple down the right-field line to make it a 2-0 lead for CMU. William Jewell scored a run in the top of the sixth to cut the lead to 2-1. The Lady Eagles answered in the bottom of the inning with one run on two hits. Junior Kayla Yount (Olathe, Kan.) led off the inning with a single. Freshman Megan Robbins (Las Vegas, Nev.) hit a two-out RBI single through the left side to give the Lady Eagles a 3-1 lead. Freshman Aubrey Utley (Trenton, Mo.) earned her 18th win of the season for the Lady Eagles, scattering five hits and allowing just one run in the complete game.

William Jewell scored a run in the first inning and added four in the third inning to jump out to a 5-0 lead in game two. The Cardinals added three unearned runs in the top of the fifth to extend their lead to 8-0. The lone run for the Lady Eagles came on a solo homerun in the bottom of the fifth inning by junior Rebecca Lipsey (New Hartford, Mo.), her fifth homerun of the season. The Lady Eagles were out-hit 12-8 in the game, but had four extra-base hits, including doubles by Lipsey, Sullivant and sophomore Courtney Dennis (Sierra Vista, Ariz.). Senior Danielle Taylor (Milan, Mo.) took the loss for the Lady Eagles, allowing four runs on six hits in two innings, while striking out three. Freshman Briana Ford (Branson, Mo.) pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing four runs, including three unearned, on five hits. Junior Kayla Schmidt (Boonville, Mo.) shut down the Cardinals in her 2 1/3 innings of work, allowing just one hit, while striking out four.

Central Methodist moved to 32-13 overall and 14-4 in the HAAC. William Jewell improved to 34-13 on the season and 9-7 in conference play. The Lady Eagles will be back in action Sunday with their final HAAC doubleheader of the season against Baker University. Game one is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at the Cox Softball Complex, and CMU will recognize its three seniors between games for Senior Day.