FAYETTE, Mo. – The No. 19 nationally ranked Central Methodist softball team tacked on another sweep of the season as they closed out Avila University 4-3 and 8-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference play, Wednesday night.
NOTES
• Central Methodist improved to 35-7 on the season and 25-5 in Heart action.
• Avila dropped to 34-11 on the year and 20-14 in Heart play.
• Central Methodist have won seven of their last eight games.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
• Hannah Criswell (FR/Kennett, Mo.) and Kelli Gorman (FR/St. Charles, Mo.) finished game one 2-of-3 for two RBIs and a run scored. Criswell provided a double and the winning run off a two-run homer, while Gorman added two doubles on the day.
• Lexi Jones had a strong performance connecting on a perfect 3-of-3 in game two. Hannah Steeby (SO/St. Joseph, Mo.) and Criswell had a multi-hit game. Meredith Adam (SO/Foristell, Mo.) came in late to knock in three RBIs.
• Erin Enke (SR/Martinez, Calif.) earned her 20th win of the season in game one, with six strikeouts and allowing five hits. Ashley Wills (JR/Cameron, Mo.) added her 14th win of the season on four strikeouts and only three allowed hits.
HOW IT HAPPENED GAME ONE
• Central Methodist got on the board first as Hime and Willis scored off a double by Gorman, in the bottom of the first.
• Avila capitalized in the third inning as a single by King drove in Musgrove to tie the game. Later in the inning, an error by Central Methodist gave Avila the go ahead run as Hiler scored.
• Avila added an additional run in the top of the four as a sacrifice bunt plated Roberts from third. Avila took the 3-2 advantage.
• Gorman led off the sixth inning with a double to left, putting a running in scoring position for Central Methodist. As the next two batter flew up, Criswell provided the tying and go ahead run on a two-run homer. Central Methodist allowed only three baserunners in the final three innings to take the 4-3 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED GAME TWO
• With two outs in the top of the first, Dexter connected for a homer over the right field fence as Avila scored the first run of the game. Central Methodist answered back in the bottom off a single by Steeby, as Hime was in scoring position on second.
• Both teams would be scoreless for the next three innings, until Central Methodist tacked on another run to break the tie.
• As Avila managed to have runners on third and second, with two outs in the top of the sixth, Roberts grounded out to Steeby for the quick 6-3 out.
• Central Methodist then rallied for six huge runs to break open the game. A double by Patton plated Flagg and Harmon. Moments later, Adam came in and connected for another three-run double to left-center. Hime scored the final run of the inning from a single by Gorman.
• Nieslanik doubled down the right field line, in the final inning, to plate Ertmann as Avila added an additional run. Central Methodist however closed out the game on a ground out, taking the 8-2 win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Central Methodist tallied 21 hits for 12 runs, while Avila recorded eights hits for five runs.
• Central Methodist added seven extra base hits and three stolen bases on the day.
• Avila had two extra base hits and four stolen bases.
UP NEXT
• The Eagles will return to action on tomorrow, April 26th, as they to Marshall, Mo. to face Heart of America Athletic Conference opponent, Missouri Valley College. Game time is scheduled for TBA.
