Fayette, Mo. The 21^st ranked Central Methodist University softball team closed out the 2016 home portion of their schedule, with a series split against William Woods University. The Eagles defeated the Owls 9-5 in game one, before falling 5-3 in game two.
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With the split, #21 Central Methodist University moves to 35-14 overall, while William Woods moves to 27-24 overall.
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In game one, the Eagles struck for two runs in the bottom of the first inning, before falling behind; surrendering three runs in the third inning and another run in the fourth to go down 4-2.
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In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Central offense came alive; striking for six runs on four hits and taking advantage of one Owls error. CMU never looked back in their game one 9-5 victory.
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Eagles starting pitcher Erin Enke (Martinez, Calif.) went just three innings and surrendered three runs on three hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Enke wouldn't factor into the decision. Reliever Ashley Litton (Lee's Summit, Mo.) picked up the win (4-1), tossing four innings in relief, while allowing just two runs on eight hits with five strikeouts.
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Offensively for Central, the 3-4-5 hitters of Lauren Geringer (O'Fallon, Mo.), Hannah Blackmon (Beaumont, Tex.), and Addyson Reardon (Boonville, Mo.) combined to go 3-for-9 with five runs scored, six RBI's, three walks, and one stolen base.
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In game two, Central would strike for an early run in the bottom of the first inning, but surrendered all five runs late and lost to William Woods 5-3. In the loss, the Eagles were outhit 13-8.
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Skyler Hime (Raymore, Mo.) finished game two going 4-for-4 with two runs scored in the leadoff spot for the Eagles.
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Earlier in the day on Tuesday, the NAIA announced their sixth regular season 2016 NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll; with Central Methodist University once again coming in at #21 for the second straight week. No other members from the Heart of America Athletic Conference were rankled in the Top 25, but Evangel University and Grand View University were receiving votes.
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Central Methodist returns to action tomorrow (Wednesday), when they travel to Marshall, Missouri for a conference doubleheader at Missouri Valley College beginning at 2pm. The games were originally scheduled for April 19^th, but were postponed due to inclement weather. Central closes out the regular season on Saturday at Peru State College.
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For more information about Central Methodist University athletics, visit�http://www.cmueagles.com. Follow CMU athletics on Facebook at�www.facebook.com/cmathletics�and on Twitter�twitter.com/cmueagles. � � � �