KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After struggling at the dish in the Heart of American Athletic Conference opener on Sunday afternoon at the Zarda Multisport Complex, the 20th-ranked Central Methodist University softball team bounced back with an eight-hit attack as the Lady Eagles split their doubleheader with Avila University. Avila claimed the opener, 8-0, but CMU took the second game, 7-6.
Central Methodist, which entered the game having won seven of its last eight games, now sits at 10-6 on the year after Sunday's action. CMU is 1-1 in Heart play. Avila, which had dropped two of its previous three contests, is now 10-8 on the season and is also 1-1 in league play.
GAME 1 RECAP
Hannah Blackmon (SR/Beaumont, Texas) was the only CMU player able to register a hit in the opener, while hurler Erin Enke (JR/Martinez, Calif.) (4-2) tried to keep the visiting Lady Eagles in it defensively. Enke absorbed the loss. She gave up only three earned runs (8 total) on five hits, with four strikeouts and three walks.
Kayleigh Behymer (6-2) was the winning pitcher for Avila. She was credited with the win while only striking out one.
GAME 2 RECAP
Central Methodist's offense began heating up in the second game. Jordan Jenkins (FR/Kansas City, Mo.) posted a 2-for-3 effort at the plate, tagging a double and scoring twice. She also drew a walk. Hannah Steeby (FR/St. Joseph, Mo.) doubled twice, while driving in a pair of runs and walking once in a 2-for-4 game at the plate. Bailey Fidler (SO/Pleasant Hill, Mo.) also posted a pair of hits for CMU, while driving in two runs.
Central Methodist lead-off hitter Sydnie Harmon (SO/Raymore, Mo.) went 1-for-3 with three runs scored. She also drew a pair of walk. Alyssa Lilly (SR/Wentzville, Mo.) driving in two runs and scored a run in a 1-for-4 effort offensively.
Alexi Kohrs (3-4) was the winning pitcher for CMU. She pitched six frames, allowing five runs on 11 hits with three strikeouts and four walks. Ashley Litton (SR/Lee's Summit, Mo.) also saw action in the circle.
Madison McKinney (3-4) took the loss for Avila. In 3.1 innings she allowed a pair of runs on three hits with two strikeouts and four walks.
CMU took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Harmon scored on Steeby's double to deep left-center. The Lady Eagles added another run in the third when Harmon plated on Lilly's single.
Central Methodist would add another run in the third, before Avila scored two in the bottom of the frame to cut the deficit to 3-2.
But a four-run sixth by CMU scored the necessary runs to win as the Lady Eagles scored on two hits and took advantage of Avila error.
WHAT'S UP NEXT FOR CMU?
Central Methodist is scheduled to get back in action on Tuesday, making up Saturday's postponed road doubleheader with Evangel University. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Springfield, Mo. The Lady Eagles will then return home for their home opener on Wednesday when they host MidAmerica Nazarene University in a 2 p.m. twinbill.
CMU Softball Contact: John Krueger
Phone: 936-332-9332 | jkrueger@centralmethodist.edu
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Website: www.CMUEagles.com
