Springfield, Mo. - The No. 9 Central Methodist softball program completed another doubleheader sweep, this time over Evangel University Monday afternoon in Springfield, Mo.
The Eagles improve their overall record to 33-4 and 25-1 in conference play. Evangel falls to 22-14-1 and 17-9 in the Heart. CMU also pushes its winning streak to 24 consecutive games, including 12-straight doubleheader sweeps.
Central started the afternoon with a 5-0 victory in game one. The Eagles plated three runs in the first inning highlighted by an RBI-double from Kelli Gorman and a two RBI-single from Mikayla Pennell.
Sophomore shortstop Madison White hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Kaylee Parker in the second inning, pushing Central's lead to 4-0. Pennell plated the final run of the game in the fourth inning on an RBI-single to right field, scoring Gorman.
Senior ace Keighlan Cronin made her 17th start in the circle this season, tossing a complete game with 11 strikeouts. Cronin gave up only two hits and four walks en route to her 16th win of the year.
The Eagles followed up with an 8-0 win over the Valor in game two in five innings. CMU once again scored three runs in the first, beginning when Micaela Harcrow put the ball in play. Harcrow reached on an error which, then in turn, brought White home from second. Pennell followed with a single to left to score Harcrow followed by another miscue from the Valor defense when Daly Garland came up to bat, scoring Gorman from third.
Leading 3-0 in the third inning, Central added four more runs beginning with a two-RBI single to left from Garland. Following a lineout, Katelyn Kiser doubled to left center, to score both Garland and Madison Love.
A single from Harcrow through the left side of the field in the fifth served as the eighth and final run of the day for CMU. Overall, Central scored eight runs on nine hits and one error. Eight of nine Central batters collected at least one hit including two from Kelena Oots.
Mykala Johnico pushed her record to a perfect 13-0, tossing five scoreless innings and giving up just two hits with eight strikeouts.
Central will next face MidAmerica Nazarene University Tuesday, April 26 for a doubleheader beginning at 4:00 p.m. in Olathe, Kan.
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