Fayette, Mo. - The No. 11 Central Methodist softball program completed doubleheader sweeps of Clarke and Mount Mercy this weekend in Fayette, Mo. 

With the victories, Central improves its overall record to 27-4 and 19-1 in conference play. The Eagles are currently riding an 18 game winning streak and remain atop the Heart standings with a .950 winning percentage in the conference. 

The Eagles began the weekend with a sweep of Clarke University by scores of 7-1 and 6-3 Friday afternoon. In the first game against the Pride, Central jumped out in front in the first inning on an RBI double to centerfield from Micaela Harcrow. Clarke evened the score in the top of the second, before the Eagles added two runs in the third to jump back out in front. 

Central plated two runs in the fifth and two in the sixth to complete the six-run victory. Kelena Oots and Katelyn Kiser led the CMU bats with two hits apiece and two runs scored. Kiser homered to centerfield in the fifth inning, her second home run of the year. 

Harcrow and Madison White each picked up doubles and, on the basepaths, Kiser and Chloe Clarke put on a double steal in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted by Clarke stealing home.

Senior ace Keighlan Cronin earned her 12th win of the year, pitching a complete game and giving up only one earned run on six hits. 

Game two featured runs for both sides in the first inning, before Central broke the deadlock with three runs in the second, highlighted by a solo home run from Abbie Marshall, an RBI double from Lauren Hill and a sacrifice fly from White. 

Clarke trimmed the lead to one with a run in the fifth and a run in the sixth, before CMU plated two runs in the bottom frame of the sixth via a two-RBI single from Harcrow. 

Madison Love got the game two start in the circle, tossing 5.1 innings and giving up two earned runs on seven hits. Mykala Johnico recorded a save, finishing out the final 1.2 innings of work with five strikeouts. 

The Eagles then turned their attention to 2021 NAIA World Series participant Mount Mercy Saturday afternoon. 

The first game was a pitcher's duel as both teams remained scoreless through the first seven innings of play. After seven scoreless innings, game two was to be decided in extra innings. Central broke the deadlock in the bottom of the eighth on walk off single from Love to score Kelli Gorman from second base. 

Cronin pitched a gem inside the circle, tossing eight innings and allowing only three hits and one walk with 10 K's. Overall, both sides combined for just one run on 11 hits but left 13 runners on base. 

Central concluded the doubleheader with an 8-0 victory in game two. The Eagles plated five runs in the third inning highlighted by back-to-back doubles from White and Harcrow, followed by three consecutive singles from Gorman, Mikayla Pennell and Love. 

CMU added two runs in the fourth and the final run in the fifth courtesy of an RBI-double from White to close the game out. 

White led the Eagle offense batting three-of-four with three RBI while Oots, Harcrow, Love, and Kiser each picked up two hits.

Johnico tossed a one-hitter inside the circle with nine strikeouts for her 10th win of the year.

Central remains at home to host MidAmerica Nazarene Wednesday, April 20 for a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Cox Softball Complex. 

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