Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist Softball team punched its ticket the NAIA World Series with a 5-1 win over UT Southern in the Opening Round Championship of the Fayette Bracket Wednesday afternoon at Cox Softball Complex. 

It marks the Eagles' third straight trip to the World Series, a first in program history. 

Central squared off against the upstart and No. 5-seeded Firehawks, which earlier in the day had knocked off the No. 1 seed, LSU Alexandria, in eight innings. 

Haley Cotter made quick work of the Firehawk hitters in the top of the first before CMU's bats manufactured a run in the bottom of the inning.

Elizabeth Palumbo started Central's rally with a double to the left-center gap. Madison Roberts followed with a single to center field, advancing Palumbo to third.

One batter later, Maddie Holly got just enough distance on a flyout to center, scoring Palumbo on a sacrifice fly. 

UT Southern evened the score at 1-1 in the fourth inning on an RBI single to right. 

However, in the bottom half of the frame, Lauren Hill put Central back out in front with a two-run home run to left field, her second of the tournament and the first of her career. 

With the score still intact, Central's bats got going again in the sixth. 

With one away, Kaysie Jolley split the left center gap for a stand-up double.

Hill made the most of her trip to the plate, connecting on another two-run home run in the final home at-bat of her career to extend CMU's lead to 5-1. 

Cotter gave up just six hits and no earned runs while striking out two and walking one to help lead the Eagles to the win. 

Jolley and Hill both went two-for-three on the day while Hill drove in four of her team's five runs. 

Hill finished an incredible week, batting .600 with six hits, two doubles, and three home runs to propel her team to another World Series appearance. 

The Eagles will look to make a run at the 10-team national tournament, set to begin Thursday, May 22 in Columbus, Georgia. 

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