CHICKASHA, Okla. — Originally scheduled for three games, the No. 18 Central Methodist softball team could only complete two in the hastily scheduled USAO Invite on Saturday afternoon, splitting the contests to finish 1-1 on the day.

Weather cancelled the final contest of the day against Friends (Kan.), but earlier in the afternoon, the Eagles conquered Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) in a back-and-forth affair, 9-8. In the second game, a Central Methodist comeback fell just short against (RV) Bellevue (Neb.), 7-5.

LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY-BELLEVILLE:

Sydnie Harmon (SR/Raymore, Mo.) led off the game with a triple, coming home to score on an RBI fielder's choice by Kelli Gorman (SO/St. Charles, Mo.). An RBI single by Taylor Patton (SR/Columbia, Mo.) scored Gorman to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead after one inning.

Gorman picked up two more RBIs the following inning to momentarily extend the Central Methodist lead. But the Lynx offense pounced in the 3rd and 4th innings, racing out to a 7-4 lead.

Keighlan Cronin (FR/St. Charles, Mo.) came on in relief to stop the bleeding, and picked up the win on the bump courtesy of a five-run offensive outburst in the bottom of the 6th.

Harmon and Gorman started the rally with back-to-back singles, before Patton smacked a two-run double to cut the deficit to one run. Morgan Willis (JR/Carrollton, Mo.) hit an RBI single and Jordan Jenkins (JR/Kansas City, Mo.) clobbered a two-run homer to give the Eagles a two-run cushion heading into the final frame.

The Lynx mustered one run, before Ashley Wills (SR/Cameron, Mo.) came on in relief and shut the door, earning the save.

BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY:

The Bruins proved too much in the early going, carrying a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the 4th inning. An Addy Reardon (SR/Boonville, Mo.) double, followed by a two-run shot from Patton, finally got the Eagles on the board.

In the bottom of the 6th, trailing 7-2, Central Methodist put some pressure on Bellevue. Gorman hit an RBI triple to score the first run of the rally. Reardon hit a ball that was misplayed by the second baseman, allowing another run to score. Willis hit an RBI double to cut the deficit to two runs, but the Eagles wouldn't get any closer, falling narrowly, 7-5.

UP NEXT:

The next scheduled contest for Central Methodist (3-3) is set for Tuesday, Feb. 26, on the road against William Woods. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 pm.