Fayette, Mo. - The No. 7 Central Methodist Softball team picked up a double header sweep over Columbia College in their home opener Friday evening at Cox Softball Complex.
With the win, Central improves its overall record to 7-3, while Columbia drops to 2-6.
Game 1: No. 7 CMU 9 - Columbia College 4
The Cougars opened the scoring in the top half off the third on a double to right field to take a 1-0 lead.
Columbia was one out away from a one-two-three inning in the bottom half, until CMU rallied to put six runs on the board.
Madison Roberts doubled to drive in Elizabeth Palumbo as the first run for Central.
Roberts came in to score right after on a double from Maddie Holly, followed by a Lauren Hill single to left center to push across two more runs.
Now leading 4-1, the Eagles continued to push, as Ainsley Feller reached base on an error by the Cougars' right fielder. As a result, Daly Garland and Hill both touched home plate, giving Central a five run advantage.
The Cougars got one back in the top of the fourth on an error by the Eagles' defense.
Columbia added one more to their tally in the fifth off a single to left field, cutting Central's lead to 6-3.
CC's pitching held strong in the bottom frame, not allowing CMU to increase their lead. However, Columbia was unable to contain their bats in the sixth inning, as the Eagles added two more runs with Kendall Miller and Chelsea Gleba scoring.
Central held a 9-3 advantage heading into the final inning. Columbia got one run back but fell well short in the first game of the doubleheader, 9-4.
The Eagles were outstanding offensively with two outs, hitting .556 and scoring all their nine runs with those limitations.
Roberts was a big part, going four-for-four with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Hill finished the day with two hits in four at-bats while driving in a game-high four RBI.
Haley Cotter tossed a complete game, allowing just two earned runs with on eight hits while striking out two in the win.
Game 2: No. 7 CMU 10 - CC 3
Columbia came out firing early with two runs in the first inning followed by one more in the second to take a 3-0 lead in game two.
Central slowly began to respond, cashing in thir first run of the game in the bottom half of the second inning.
Sami Picha was credited with the RBI after connecting on a two-out single to Kaysie Jolley
CMU added one more in the following frame off a Roberts' single to center field. In the bottom of the fourth, the Eagles posted three more runs to take a 5-3 lead.
The offense for the home team would continue to click, as they added five more runs in the following inning.
Picha drove in her second and third RBI of the day and later came around to score the ninth run for Central.
One batter later, Feller, came to be the 10th run of the game for CMU on a passed ball by the Cougars' catcher.
Veronica Dearth was the winning pitcher, throwing 91 pitches in her complete game effort. The sophomore allowed three earned runs, and recorded six strikeouts in the win.
Up Next:
Central remains at home to host Stephens College for a doubleheader Sunday, March 2 at 1:00 p.m. and Cox Softball Complex.
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