Fort Worth, Tex. – The 20th ranked Central Methodist University Eagles softball team traveled south to Fort Worth, Texas this past weekend to compete at the Cowtown Classic. CMU went 1-2 on day one play, and then went 1-1 on the second and final day of the Cowtown Classic.
To open the 2017 season, the 20th ranked Eagles see their record move to 2-3 overall, after a weekend of play.
Central Methodist opened the 2017 season with a game against Bellevue University. The Eagles opened up the scoring in the top of the third inning, when Hannah Blackmon (SR/Beaumont, Texas) hit a solo homerun to give CMU the early 1-0 lead. Bellevue would respond with two runs in the bottom half of the third inning, and another run in the fifth inning, to seal the 3-1 victory. CMU outhit Bellevue 8 to 4 in the game. Eagles' pitcher Alexis Kohrs (SR/Tilden, Ill.) (0-1) took the loss for CMU, going all six innings while allowing three runs on four hits with 12 strikeouts and five walks.
The second game of the day, saw the 20th ranked Eagles face 18th ranked University of Houston – Victoria. This match-up featured a combined five hits, and Central would make four errors in the game. One of those errors would haunt the Eagles, as Mary Dahl (SO/Altoona, Iowa) bobbled a ball in the third inning allowing two runners to advance and get on base. One of those runners would come around and score on a single later in the inning. That lone run was all Houston – Victoria would need in their 1-0 win. CMU starting pitcher Erin Enke (JR/Martinez, Calif.) (0-1) took the tough luck loss, last all seven innings, while allowing one unearned run in four hits. She also struckout eight and walked only three batters.
Central Methodist closed out play on Friday, with a match-up against Oklahoma Wesleyan University; who are currently receiving votes in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The Eagles struck first in the first inning, when Addyson Reardon scored on an error to give CMU the early 1-0 lead. CMU would tack on a run in the third inning, a run in the fourth inning, and five runs in the sixth inning, on their way to an 8-3 victory. CMU outhit Oklahoma Wesleyan 12-5 in the game. Ashley Litton (SR/Lee's Summit, Mo.) (1-0) picked up the win, as she tossed five innings and allowed two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.
On Saturday morning, the Eagles returned to action to begin play against Bethel College. Central Methodist blew right past Bethel College, striking for two runs in the first inning, and another seven runs in the second inning; enroot to a 9-0 five-inning run-rule victory. Central outhit Bethel 11-2 in the game. Alyssa Lilly (SR/Wentzville, Mo.) finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and two RBI's. Addyson Reardon and Alyson Fuemmeler (JR/Glasgow, Mo.) both finished with two hits apiece. Erin Enke (1-1) picked up the win, tossing all five innings, while allowing two hits to go along with three strikeouts and two walks.
CMU finished play at the Cowtown Classic on Saturday afternoon against Sterling College. The Eagles got down early, and never could muster a lead in the game. Sterling College struck for three runs in the bottom of the second inning, and then Central responded with three runs of their own in the top of the third inning to even the game at 3-3. Sterling College then struck for four more runs in the bottom of the third inning, to take a 7-3 lead. CMU tacked on two more runs in the top of the fourth inning; to draw within two. But Sterling College struck for another run in the bottom of the sixth inning to seal the 8-5 victory. In the loss, Hannah Steeby (FR/St. Joseph, Mo.), Addyson Reardon, and Meredith Adam (FR/Foristell, Mo.) all finished with two hits apiece. Alexis Kohrs (0-2) took the loss in the circle for CMU, she lasted just two innings and allowed six runs; four earned on five hits, with a strikeout and four walks allowed.
Central returns to action this Wednesday, when they travel west to Leavenworth, Kansas, for a non-conference doubleheader at the University of St. Mary. Game one is scheduled to begin at 1pm.
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.
