CMU SOFTBALL VS. EVANGEL PHOTO GALLERY
FAYETTE, Mo. – Needing a spark to snap out of its four-game losing skid, the Central Methodist University softball team used a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning by Hannah Steeby (FR/St. Joseph, Mo.) Saturday evening as the Eagles completed the doubleheader sweep of Evangel University, winning 5-2 and 3-1 here at the Cox Softball Complex.
The Eagles (23-19-1, 14-12 Heart) started the day in a tie for fifth place in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Southern Division. CMU finished the day in a tie for fourth place with Baker University (23-20, 16-14 Heart). The two squads are four games behind Evangel (27-17, 21-11 Heart), three games back of Avila University (28-18, 19-11 Heart) and one-half game back of MidAmerica Nazarene University (25-17, 16-13 Heart).
Steeby pounded out four hits on the day. In addition to her home run, she tagged a double, drove in three runs and scored a run.
Central Methodist pitchers Erin Enke (JR/Martinez, Calif.) and Ashley Litton (SR/Lee's Summit, Mo.) had strong efforts in the circle. Enke (9-8) picked up the victory in the opener, going the distance, while allowing two unearned runs on four hits, with five strikeouts and six walks. Litton (4-2) came out of the Eagle bullpen in Game 2 to get the victory. In 7.2 scoreless innings of work, she allowed just four hits, while fanning three and walking just one.
GAME 1 RECAP
Enke did most of the work to keep the Crusaders at bay, while the Central Methodist offense outhit Evangel 8-4.
Sydnie Harmon (SO/Raymore, Mo.) was a perfect 3-for-3 from her lead-off spot in the lineup. She sliced a triple, drove in a pair of runs and scored two more. Alyssa Lilly (SR/Wentzville, Mo.) was 2-for-3, with a double and two runs batted in. Steeby and Skyler Hime (SO/Raymore, Mo.) both had a double in the game, while Addy Reardon (SO/Boonville, Mo.) singled and scored a run.
Cassidy Gillihan led the Evangel offense with a 2-for-4 performance, pushing in a run. Michaela Tolliver took the loss in the circle. In six innings she gave up five runs (3 earned) on eight hits, with a pair of strikeouts and no walks.
Harmon and Reardon both plated in the bottom of the first inning on a double by Lilly to put the Eagles ahead 2-0. Harmon scored again in the third on a double by Steeby to increase the lead to 3-0. CMU added two more insurance runs in the fourth frame when Blackmon and Hime scored on a triple by Harmon.
GAME 2 RECAP
Steeby's heroics keyed Central Methodist's Game 2 victory when she drove in Harmon, who had drawn a walk in the bottom of the eighth. Steeby finished the game 3-for-4, with a pair of RBIs. Jordan Jenkins (FR/Kansas City, Mo.) went 1-for-2, with a double, a run scored and a walk and Blackmon singled.
Kiara Carrier led the Evangel offense with a 2-for-3 outing. Kyra Parker (14-8) took the loss in the circle for the Crusaders, despite pitching seven innings and giving up three runs on five hits, with seven strikeouts and two walks.
After falling behind 1-0 in the first frame, Jenkins doubled to deep right-center in the bottom of the second frame. She went to third when Blackmon grounded out and scored on a wild pitch by Parker.
WHAT'S UP NEXT FOR CMU?
Central Methodist will host Senior Day on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Cox Softball Complex when the Eagles will take on Avila University. The ceremony honoring seniors Hannah Blackmon (SR/Beaumont, Texas), Kylee Foster (SR/Sturgeon, Mo.), Alyssa Lilly, Ashley Litton, Alexis Kohrs (SR/Tilden, Ill.) and Brenna Russ (SR/Wenatchee, Wash.) will take place between games.
CMU Softball Contact: John Krueger
Phone: 936-332-9332 | jkrueger@centralmethodist.edu
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Website: www.CMUEagles.com
