CMU SB VS. MNU PHOTO GALLERY
FAYETTE, Mo. – A big inning in each of Tuesday afternoon's Heart of America Athletic Conference Southern Division games by MidAmerica Nazarene proved to be too much for the Central Methodist University softball team, as the Pioneers came away with a 7-3, 6-3 sweep of the Eagles at the Cox Softball Complex.
The loss dropped CMU (18-10-1) to 9-5 in the Southern Division and two games back of first-place Evangel University (21-13, 15-7 Heart). MidAmerica Nazarene improved to 15-13 on the season, and moved the Pioneers to sixth place in the division with a 6-9 mark. MNU is 5.5 games out of first place and three games behind Central Methodist in the tight seven-team race.
GAME 1 RECAP
MidAmerica Nazarene used a four-run fifth inning to come from behind in the opener for a 7-3 victory. The Pioneers outhit the Eagles 8-6. MNU scored its four runs in the frame on only two hits, as they took a 4-3 lead and never relinquished it. The Pioneers then added a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh.
Erin Enke (JR/Martinez, Calif.) (7-5) took the loss in the circle for Central Methodist. She pitched four innings, allowing four runs on three hits, with three strikeouts and five walks. Ashley Litton (SR/Lee's Summit, Mo.) came out of the CMU bullpen, giving up two earned runs (3 total) on five hits, with two strikeouts and no walks.
The victory went to MNU's Emily Robinson (6-4). In five frames she allowed three runs on five hits, with two strikeouts, as she overcame seven walks.
Kylee Foster (SR/Sturgeon, Mo.) was the only Central Methodist player with more than one hit in the game. She finished 2-for-3, with a walk. Sydnie Harmon (SO/Raymore, Mo.) went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and a pair of walks, while Taylor Patton (SO/Columbia, Mo.) went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. Addy Reardon and Skyler Hime (SO/Raymore, Mo.) also singled in the game.
Maddie Johnson paced the Pioneers with a 2-for-3 outing. She scored three times, tripled and drove in a run.
GAME 2 RECAP
Despite falling in Game 2, 6-3, Central Methodist outhit MidAmerica Nazarene 8-7.
Patton was a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish, with a pair of runs batted in. Jordan Jenkins (FR/Kansas City, Mo.) (1-for-2, 2BB), Reardon (1-for-2, 2BB), Bailey Fidler (SO/Pleasant Hill, Mo.) (1-for-4, RBI), Hime (1-for-4, run) and Hannah Steeby (FR/St. Joseph, Mo.) (1-for-4, run) also picked up singles for CMU.
Lydia Reyes led the Pioneer offense with a 2-for-3 outing, connecting with a two-run home run.
Alexis Kohrs (SR/Tilden, Ill.) (8-5) took the loss for Central Methodist. She went the distance, giving up six runs (5 earned) on seven hits, with six strikeouts and a pair of walks. Reyes (2-1) was the winning pitcher for MNU. She started the game, throwing four innings of scoreless ball. She walked three and fanned one.
The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two run homer by Reyes. Both teams scored a run in the fourth, but a three-run sixth inning was too much for the Eagles to overcome.
WHAT'S UP NEXT FOR CMU?
Central Methodist will be back at the Cox Softball Complex on Wednesday afternoon, taking on Park University in a 3 p.m. nonconference twinbill. The Eagles will also be home for conference doubleheaders on Friday (1 p.m.) and Mount Mercy University on Saturday (12-noon).
CMU Softball Contact: John Krueger
Phone: 936-332-9332 | jkrueger@centralmethodist.edu
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Website: www.CMUEagles.com
