Fayette, Mo. - In an eventful 48 hour period, the Central Methodist Softball team opened national postseason play this week, as the Eagles hosted three other teams in the Fayette Bracket of the 2024 NAIA Softball National Tournament.
Central began the tournament with a 12-0 shutout of No. 5 seeded Dickinson State Tuesday afternoon. The tournament opener for the Eagles' featured an incredible outing from sophomore standout Jordyn Ball. The Fayette native pitched another no-hitter, striking out six through five complete innings.
In addition, Ball allowed just one walk and still faced the minimum number of batters on her way to her 24th win of the year.
The offense plated 11 runs on 10 hits, including a double from Daly Garland and a triple from Joely Crider. Both Garland and Elizabeth Palumbo finished the game with two hits apiece. Kirsten Dunn, Crider, Lauren Hill and Garland all drove in two runners.
CMU then advanced to Wednesday, which saw the Eagles square off against No. 2 seeded Indiana Wesleyan. Central found themselves struggling early, as they trailed the Wildcats 3-0 at the end of the first inning.
Central tallied its first run of the game on an RBI double from Madison Roberts in the third inning. The Eagles would tie the game at three in the fourth after Madison White was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, followed by a ground out from Crider to score Kaysie Jolley.
Indiana Wesleyan scored the go ahead run in the sixth on an obstruction call at the plate, which ruled the Wildcat runner safe. Central was unable to tie the game through the final two innings of play, and were forced to play their way back in from the elimination side of the bracket.
Central finished the game with 12 hits, but left 16 runners on base in the narrow one-run defeat.
The Eagles would need to win back-to-back games to force a winner-take-all game Thursday.
Central first had to survive an elimination game against Dickinson State in their second game Wednesday. CMU utilized a five run second inning to take control quickly. The inning was highlighted by a grandslam from Jolley to clear the bases. Garland got the inning started with a bases loaded walk.
Garland drove in her second run of the game in the third on a sacrifice fly to score Chelsea Gleba. Central's final run came on an RBI single from Lauren Hill to centerfield.
Ball tossed a complete game shut out, giving up just one hit and three walks while striking out five. In addition, Ball picked up her 25th win of the year to help send her team to the championship series.
Central concluded its three-game stretch against the Wildcats Wednesday night, needing to win to force the winner-take-all game.
The Eagles cruised past the Wildcats by a final score of 8-3, plating eight runs on 10 hits while drawing nine walks.
Madison White singled to centerfield to score Kelena Oots in the first, before Jolley hit a two-run blast to centerfield. Doubles from Hill and Garland put the game out of reach in the middle innings to send CMU to the championship.
Ball got the start in the circle, throwing four complete innings and giving up just one earned run. Senior pitcher Haile Farris, tossed the final three innings, allowing no earned runs and three strikeouts.
CMU will take on the Wildcats Thursday, May 16 at 11:00 a.m., with the winner heading to the NAIA World Series in Columbus, Georgia later this month.
#TakeFlight
