Fayette, Mo. - The No. 9 Central Methodist Softball program hosted (RV) Benedictine College in this weeks NAIA SB Heart Series of the Week Sunday afternoon at Cox Softball Complex.
Central defeated Benedictine in game one, 4-3, before the Ravens bounced back with a 1-0 win in game two.
Game 1: No. 9 CMU 4 - (RV) Benedictine 3
The Ravens got their offense started early, scoring one run in the top of the first on a solo home run.
A Daly Garland single to right field brought home Lauren Hill from third, while a sacrifice fly from Elizabeth Palumbo scored Rachel Brandt to make it a 2-1 lead for CMU in the second.
Central extended their lead to 4-1 after scoring two more runs in the fourth courtesy of RBI singles from Joely Crider and Palumbo.
The Ravens kept pace with CMU, scoring runs in the fifth and sixth to make it a 4-3 game heading into the final inning.
CMU's pitching held strong in the seventh, keeping Benedictine off the board in the final half inning to secure the one-run victory.
Veronica Dearth was Central's starting pitcher in game one. The sophomore threw six full innings and allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out three.
Cassidy Brent picked up her second save of the season, tossing the final inning and striking out one.
Game 2: (RV) Benedictine 1 - No. 9 CMU 0
Game two was a pitcher's duel, as both starters went the distance pitching a complete game.
Khloe Perkins allowed just three hits and no earned runs in the Eagles' loss. She struck out one batter and gave up just three total hits.
The Eagles' offense tried getting their bats going, but Benedictine's pitching was just as impressive.
Central's best scoring opportunity came in the fourth inning with runners at the corners and two away.
They had a similar chance in the sixth, this time with a runner at third and two retired.
The only run of the game came across in the top of the sixth, when the Ravens took advantage of an Eagles' defensive miscue to take the 1-0 lead in what proved to be the winning run.
Up Next:
Central will look to regroup as the Eagles travel to Canton, Missouri to face Culver-Stockton College Monday, April 7 for a doubleheader.
First pitch of game one is set for 1:00 p.m.
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