Montgomery, Ala. The 19^th ranked and #2 seed Central Methodist University softball team fell 3-1 to 2^nd ranked and #1 seed Auburn Montgomery to open play on Tuesday. CMU would then rebound to to defeat 22^nd ranked and #3 seed University of Rio Grande (Ohio) by a final of 4-0 in an elimination game in the Auburn Montgomery Bracket of the NAIA's Opening Round.
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With the split, the 19^th ranked CMU Eagles move to 43-17 overall and advance to the championship games against Auburn Montgomery. Central Methodist will need to win twice on Wednesday to advance to the NAIA Softball World Series in Sioux City, Iowa.


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In game one of Tuesday, the Eagles faced the Warhawks from Auburn University in Montgomery. CMU hung close with the Warhawks for the entire game, but fell 3-1. Both teams finished with five hits apiece, but in the end AUM starter Taylor Powell was too strong.
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In the loss, Erin Enke (Martinez, Calif.) went all six innings and allowed three runs; two earned on five hits with just one strikeout and seven walks. Enke's record fell to 21-7 overall with the loss.
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CMU would rebound in game two in a rematch against Rio Grande from Ohio. The Eagles managed just three hits in the game, but scored four runs and capitalized on two Rio Grande errors.
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Eagles starting pitcher Haley Kinnison (Lee's Summit, Mo.) tossed seven shutout frames, while allowing just four hits in the win (16-6).
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Offensively, freshman Skyler Hime (Raymore, Mo.) scored two runs and second baseman Hannah Blackmon (Beaumont, Tex.) drew three walks and scored once in the win.
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Central Methodist University will face the 2^nd ranked and the #1 seed Auburn Montgomery on Wednesday at 1pm. If CMU can win, there will be the "if necessary" game at 3:30pm. You can listen to the games for free on www.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. � � � �