Overland Park, Kan. The 21^st ranked and #1 seed Central Methodist University softball team, defeated Missouri Valley College 8-0 in a final five innings on Thursday afternoon in the first round of the Heart of America Athletic Conference softball postseason tournament. With the win, CMU advances in the winner bracket to face Avila University on Friday, while Missouri Valley College drops down to the losers bracket in the double-elimination tournament.
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With the victory, #21 Central Methodist University improves to 39-14 overall, while Missouri Valley College falls to 14-28 overall with the loss.
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The Eagles got to work quickly on Thursday afternoon, as leadoff batter Skyler Hime (Raymore, Mo.) singled to begin the bottom of the first inning, followed by a Jessie Wilmes (Flint Hill, Mo.) double to give CMU the early 1-0 lead. Central Methodist would never look back.
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After being held scoreless in the second inning, CMU would attack offensively the next three innings for four runs in the third inning, one run in the fourth inning, and another two runs in the fifth inning to cap off the 8-0 victory. Central Methodist outhit the Vikings 15-2 in Thursday's contest.
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Offensively for CMU, the 1-2 hitters of Hime and Wilmes combined to finish 6-for-8 at the plate with four RBI's and three runs scored. Hannah Blackmon (Beaumont, Tex.) finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored.
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Eagles' starting pitcher Erin Enke (Martinez, Calif.), went all five innings in the win (19-5). Enke allowed just two hits in the shutout, while striking out five batters and walking one. Enke also hit one batter.
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Following the games Thursday, The Heart held a postseason banquet for all of the teams where the all-conference teams were announced. Central Methodist received their regular season conference champions' banner at the banquet for their first place finish this season.
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Central Methodist returns to action Friday, to face the #5 seed Avila University. First pitch is scheduled for 11am in Overland Park, Kansas, and the game can be heard on cmueagles.com.
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For more information about Central Methodist University athletics, visit�http://www.cmueagles.com. Follow CMU athletics on Facebook at�www.facebook.com/cmathletics�and on Twitter�twitter.com/cmueagles. � � � �