FAYETTE, Mo. – Looking for a spark to break the team's season-long six-game losing skid, the Central Methodist University softball team used the 'long ball' Saturday afternoon, slapping three home runs and receiving a walk-off double in Game 2 by Mae Mitchell (FR/Frederick, Colo.) (photo on right), as the Eagles got back to its winning ways by sweeping past Mount Mercy University, 3-0 and 13-5 in five innings, here at the Cox Softball Complex.
The wins come in the face of a six-game road trip coming up this week as CMU looks to make up ground from its spot in third place in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Southern Division standings. The double wins put the Eagles at 20 for the season, as they improved to 20-14-1, while moving up to 11-7 in Heart action. Mount Mercy dropped to 6-32, 5-21 in the Heart.
Addy Reardon (SO/Boonville, Mo.) smashed a two-run home in Game 1 against the Mustangs, icing the contest in the third inning. Jordan Jenkins (FR/Kansas City, Mo.) (photo on left) pounded out a three-run homer (first of the season) in the opening frame of Game 2, as the Eagles took a 5-0 lead and never surrendered it. Hannah Steeby (FR/St. Joseph, Mo.) added her fourth homer of the year, a solo shot. CMU outhit the Mustangs 20-12 on the day.
GAME 1 RECAP
While Erin Enke (JR/Martinez, Calif.) scattered seven hits over seven innings to record her fifth shutout of the season in the circle, Central Methodist put together enough offense for a 3-0 victory in the opener. Enke fanned eight batters and walked only one to improve to 8-6. Tawny Menster (2-10) was the losing hurler for MMU. She gave up three runs on seven hits, with six strikeouts and two walks.
Reardon produced a 2-for-3 effort at the dish to lead the CMU offense. She drove in a pair of runs with her homer, her first of the season. Steeby finished 2-for-3, with a run scored, Kylee Foster (SR/Sturgeon, Mo.) added a double and Bailey Fidler (SO/Pleasant Hill, Mo.) and Sydnie Harmon (SO/Raymore, Mo.) also produced singles.
Mallory Madsen led the Mount Mercy attack, finishing 2-for-3.
Hime scored in the bottom of the second to give Central Methodist a 1-0 lead, then Reardon's two-run home to left field in the third drove in Steeby and sealed the win.
GAME 2 RECAP
Five different CMU players produced multiple-hit games in the second game of the afternoon as the Mustangs pulled to within 6-5 heading into the bottom of the fifth frame before the Eagles pulled away with seven runs on five hits and an error. Mitchell ended the contest with a double to right field, driving in Reardon and Krista Richardson (FR/Desoto, Mo.) in walk-off style.
Steeby was a perfect 2-for-2 in the game, connecting with a double, driving in three runs and scoring three more. Alyssa Lilly (SR/Wentzville, Mo.) went 3-for-4, with a pair of doubles, four RBIs and a run scored. Mitchell tagged a pair of doubles in the game, with two runs batted in on a 2-for-4 effort. Harmon was also 2-for-4, with a pair of runs scored. Reardon was a perfect 2-for-2, with two runs scored. Jenkins drove in three runs and scored one herself. Kylee Foster also had a hit and an RBI.
Maddie Flemr paced the Mustangs at the dish. She hit a home run in the game, while scoring a run.
Alexis Kohrs (SR/Tilden, Ill.) improved her season record in the circle to 9-7 as she gave up five runs on five hits, with a strikeout and five walks. Madelyn Irwin (3-12) was the losing hurler. She gave up five runs on four hits in the opening inning before MMU went to its bullpen.
WHAT'S UP NEXT FOR CMU?
Central Methodist will now go on the road for its next six games. The Eagles will be in Baldwin, City, Kansas, on Monday for a makeup Heart doubleheader with Baker University at 3 p.m. CMU will then visit Evangel University for a makeup twinbill on Tuesday at 2 p.m. and visit Missouri Valley College on Wednesday for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.
CMU Softball Contact: John Krueger
Phone: 936-332-9332 | jkrueger@centralmethodist.edu
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Website: www.CMUEagles.com
