Baldwin City, Kan. - The No. 18 Central Methodist Softball team secured a doubleheader split with No. 4 Baker Friday afternoon in Baldwin City, Kan. 

The Eagles now stand at 20-6 and 7-1 in the Heart, while the Wildcats are now 26-4 and 6-2 in conference action. 

Game one was a pitcher's duel between two of the top freshman in the Heart including CMU's Jordyn Ball and the Wildcats' Kira Baker. 

Central found themselves trailing early, as BU capitlized on a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. CMU would ultimately strike in the top half of the fifth on a two-run home run to centerfield from Kaysie Jolley, trimming Baker's lead to 3-2. 

CMU had runners on second and third with no outs in the seventh, before Baker retired the final three Eagles in order to hang on for the 3-2 victory. It marks Central's first loss in conference play this year. 

In just her second loss of 2023, Ball tossed a compete game and gave up three runs on four hits with a walk. She also struck out eight batters. 

Central bounced back in game two with a 4-3 win in eight innings. Tied at 3-3 entering the top of the eighth, Elizabeth Palumbo homered to left field to put CMU out in front. 

Baker wouldn't go away quietly as they put runners on first and second with just one out. Haley Cotter came in relief and recorded back-to-back outs to hold on for the save and the win for the Eagles. 

Kelena Oots, Katelyn Kiser, Lauren Hill, and Palumbo tallied two hits apiece, including RBIs for Oots, Hill, and Palumbo. In addition, Oots picked up two stolen bases while Montana Stangel recorded a double. 

Farris earned her fifth win of the year in the circle, throwing 7.1 innings and giving up three earned runs while striking out four batters. 

The Eagles return home to host first-place Evangel University for a doubleheader Saturday, April 8 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Cox Softball Complex. 

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