Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist Softball team picked up back-to-back midweek mercy rule victories against Missouri Valley Wednesday afternoon at Cox Softball Complex.
The games, originally scheduled to be played in Marshall, were switched to Fayette due to field conditions at the Vikings' home facility.
Central took care of business in game one with an 8-0 victory in five innings, before concluding the day with a 13-3 win in game two.
CMU remains atop the conference with a 25-5 overall record and a 9-1 mark in the Heart of America. Missouri Valley drops to 7-27 and 0-10 in conference play.
Game 1: CMU 8 - Missouri Valley 0
The first two innings were a pitcher's duel, as both starters put up zeros on the score board.
The Eagles opened the scoring with three runs in the third inning.
Maddie Holly got the first RBI, bringing in Joely Crider on an RBI single to center field.
Lauren Hill and Rachel Brandt also posted RBI singles to give CMU a 3-0 lead.
Central continued showcasing the bats in the fourth inning, putting up four more runs on the board. The inning was higlighted by a three-run double from Lauren Hill, extending Central's lead to 7-0.
In the fifth inning, Madison Roberts pushed across the final run of the game on a single to centerfield.
Haley Cotter was lights out in the circle for Central Methodist, giving up just two hits, no walks, and recording four strikeouts against Missouri Valley's lineup.
Crider and Roberts both had a perfect day at the plate, going three-for-three with two walks each. Crider doubled in all three of her at-bats and crossed the plate twice.
Game 2: CMU 13 - Missouri Valley 3
The Vikings jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the second. Central put up three of their own in the top of the third to tie the game, highlighted by a two-run home run from Roberts to center.
Hill continued to showcase her power at the plate, leaving the yard in the fourth to put Central up 4-1.
In the fifth, Holly flew out to center field which allowed Chelsea Gleba to score easily from third.
With CMU up 5-3, the Eagles exploited the Viking's defense once again, this time with eight runs in the sixth inning.
Isabella Proctor came in as a pinch hitter, posting a two-run triple followed by an RBI-single from Crider.
Elizabeth Palumbo connected on a ball to right center field, resulting in her team-leading ninth home run of the season.
With CMU up 11-3, Hill had another productive at bat, as the senior singled to right center to score Kaysie Jolley and Holly.
Veronica Dearth was CMU's starting pitcher. The right-hander threw a complete six-inning game, while allowing three runs on six hits while striking out three.
Up Next:
The Eagles will continue conference play Saturday, April 5 as they travel to Canton, Missouri for a doubleheader against the Wildcats.
First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
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