Fayette, Mo. - The No. 10 Central Methodist Softball program clinched at least a share of the Heart Regular Season title after picking up back-to-back wins over second place Park University Tuesday afternoon at Cox Softball Complex.
It marks the fourth consecutive Heart Regular Season title for the program.
CMU also honored its 2025 senior class at the conclusion of game two which included; Kayla Richardson, Cassidy Brent, Lauren Hill, and Daly Garland.
Central defeated the Pirates by scores of 7-0 and 1-0.
Game 1: No. 10 CMU 7 - Park 0
The Eagles were led by a stellar pitching performance from junior Haley Cotter.
The right-hander threw a complete game shutout while allowing seven hits, no walks, and recording two strikeouts. She held the Pirates hitless through the first three innings of play.
Offensively, the Eagles jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning off a single from Hill, followed by a bases loaded walk to Rachel Brandt.
After a scoreless second, Central manufactured two more runs in the third inning taking a four run lead.
In the fifth, Hill struck once again this time with a two-out solo home run to left, tallying her second RBI of the day.
After Elizabeth Palumbo doubled down the left field line to put her team up 6-0 in the fifth, Brandt also picked up her second RBI of the day with a single in the sixth.
Hill finished the game batting three-for-three while scoring twice and driving in two runs.
Joely Crider and Sami Picha also had multi-hit games, each going two-for-three in the win.
Game 2: No. 10 CMU 1 - Park 0
Game two was a pitching clinic between both teams, as there was just one run scored on a combined seven hits.
Central's Veronica Dearth had one of her best pitching performances of the season, tossing a complete game shut out and allowing just three hits against the Pirates.
The lone run of the game came in the seventh inning with two away and runners at the corners.
Kaysie Jolley started the inning with a bunt single to the infield to put the winning run on first. With one out, Brandt singled to the infield, which was deep enough for her to reach first safely and put Jolley in scoring position in second.
A flyout from Ainsley Feller moved Jolley to third with two outs.
Garland battled through a tough at bat, pulling the count in her favor at the 3-2. The native of Woodridge, Illinois completed a perfect ending to the day with a single back up the middle to score Jolley for the game-winning run.
Up Next:
CMU will conclude their regular season on Saturday as they travel to Baldwin City, Kansas to take on the Baker Wildcats.
Game one is set for 3:00 p.m. with game two to follow at approximately 5:00 p.m. at Cavaness Field.
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