Fayette, Mo. - The No. 9 Central Methodist Softball program picked up four crucial wins over the weekend, sweeping William Penn University Saturday, followed by (RV) Grand View on Sunday.
At the conclusion of the weekend, Central now stands at 32-6 and 16-2 in the conference.
Game 1: No. 9 CMU 5 - William Penn 1
The first three innings were a pitcher's duel, with the Statesmen getting one hit while the Eagles were still looking for their first heading into the fourth.
Central's bat came to life in the inning, however, scoring five runs to break the deadlock.
Maddie Holly singled right back to the pitcher to bring home Kayla Richardson for the opening run.
Immediately after, Kaysie Jolley hit a grand slam to center field to open the floodgates for CMU.
The score stayed intact until the sixth inning when William Penn got one run back.
Haley Cotter went the distance, throwing seven full innings while giving up just five hits and no earned runs. The right-hander struck out two batters and issued one free pass.
Game 2: No. 9 CMU 11 - William Penn 0
The Eagles wasted no time getting on the board in game two, putting up three runs in the opening inning.
Elizabeth Palumbo got the first run across with a solo home run followed by a two-run bomb from Jolley.
The bats kept rolling in the second inning as Carly Robbins and Rachel Brandt both scored on a double from Daly Garland.
Moments later, Palumbo tallied her second RBI of the game to extend Central's lead to 6-0.
Central chipped in two more in the third on a couple ground balls as they traded outs for runs with the Statesmen.
With an 8-0 lead in the fourth, the Eagles got three more runs in the fourth to claim an 11-0 victory in five innings.
Khloe Perkins threw a gem in the circle, tossing four complete innings while allowing five base hits and issuing one free pass.
Cassidy Brent came in relief in the final inning to preserve the shut out.
Game 1: No. 9 CMU 4 - (RV) Grand View 2
The Vikings started the game off with a triple followed by a run in the first inning.
Central tied the game in the second, with Jolley hitting a triple to right field followed by an RBI-double from Lauren Hill to bring Jolley around to score.
Jolley continued her hot streak, blasting her third home run of the week to right center in the third inning, to put Central out in front, 4-1.
The Vikings got one run back in the fourth inning to make it just a two-run game, but were unable to score any additional runs, as Central secured their third win of the weekend.
Cotter earned her 12th win of the year, tossing a complete game and allowing two earned runs on nine hits with three strikeouts.
Game 2: No. 9 CMU 3 - (RV) Grand View 1
The Vikings saw two runners reach base in the top of the fifth inning, but were unable to bring any across as the game remained scoreless.
The Eagles managed to get the first run home in the bottom of the inning when Madison Roberts singled to left field to score Chelsea Gleba.
Grand View did not trail for long tying things up in the sixth.
In Central's offensive frame, the Eagles regained the lead and added one insurance run to make it a 3-1 game.
Rachel Brandt recorded a sacrifice fly while Joely Crider singled down the left field line to score Brooke Teel.
Brent, who came in relief for Veronica Dearth in the circle, took care of the Vikings in the final inning to give CMU their third sweep of the week, placing them atop of the Heart Conference Standings.
Dearth threw five phenomenal innings while giving up five hits and striking out two.
Up Next:
Central will travel to Peru, Nebraska Friday, April 18 for a doubleheader against Peru State.
Game one is slated for a 1:00 p.m. first pitch.
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