Fayette, Mo. – No. 17 Central Methodist Softball secured a doubleheader sweep of Peru State College Sunday afternoon at Reardon Family Field. The Eagles took game one, 3-0, before completing the sweep with a 7-2 victory in game two.
Central Methodist improves to 29-14 overall and 15-7 in conference play, while Peru State drops to 8-27 and 3-21 in the Heart of America.
Game 1: Central Methodist 3 - Peru State 0
The Eagles struck early and never looked back behind a complete-game shutout from Karlie Barnum.
Kaysie Jolley provided the early spark in the first inning, launching a solo home run to center field to give CMU a 1-0 advantage. Later in the frame, Madison Roberts brought home another run on a fielder's choice to extend the lead to 2-0.
Central Methodist added an insurance run in the third inning when Rachel Brandt delivered a sacrifice fly to plate Roberts, making it 3-0.
Barnum (16-3) was in control throughout, scattering four hits while striking out six and walking just one in seven scoreless innings.
At the plate, Jolley led the way with a three-for-four performance, including the home run and an RBI. Kinlei Boley added a double, while the Eagles drew seven walks as a team.
Game 2: Central Methodist 7 - Peru State 2
The Eagles once again jumped out to an early lead, scoring twice in the first inning. Emma King highlighted the frame with a two-RBI double to right field.
Peru State answered in the second inning with a pair of runs to even the score at 2-2, but Central Methodist responded decisively in the fourth.
CMU erupted for five runs in the inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues and clutch hitting. Roberts drove in the go-ahead run with a single, while Brandt followed with an RBI base hit. Jolley capped the inning with a two-run double to push the lead to 7-2.
In the circle, Haley Cotter started and allowed two runs over 3.2 innings. Boley (5-4) earned the win in relief, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings while striking out three.
Offensively, the Eagles were balanced with seven hits. King finished two-for-three with two RBI, while Jolley added two RBI of her own. Roberts and Brandt each drove in a run as well.
Up Next:
Central will next host Missouri Valley College for a doubleheader Tuesday, April 21 beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Reardon Family Field.
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