FAYETTE, Mo. — In a battle of conference giants on Friday afternoon, the (RV) Central Methodist softball team split a hard-fought double-header with (RV) Grand View.

GAME ONE (12-8 loss):

After two innings of play, the Eagles raced out to a 5-2 lead. Some small-ball in the 1st inning and back-to-back extra-base hits from Morgan Willis (JR/Carrollton, Mo.) and Kelli Gorman (SO/St. Charles, Mo.) in the 2nd inning gave Central Methodist the advantage. Willis hit a two-run double, while Gorman smoked an RBI triple.

The middle innings were quiet for both teams, but Grand View tied the game in the top of the 6th with a three-run homer. An RBI double from Mae Mitchell (JR/Frederick, Colo.) in the bottom of the 6th gave the Eagles a small cushion, but seven runs from the Vikings in the top of the 7th proved to be too much to overcome.

Lexi Jones (SO/Wentzville, Mo.) matched Gorman, Willis, and Mitchell with two hits to lead the Eagle offense.

GAME TWO (2-1 win):

The nightcap proved to be a much different type of game, as both teams dueled in the circle. Keighlan Cronin (FR/St. Charles, Mo.) threw her best outing of the season, going six innings while only allowing four hits and one earned run. She also punched out six Vikings.

Ashley Wills (SR/Cameron, Mo.) got the final three outs to close the game and pick up her second save of the season.

Morgan Willis went 3-for-3 in the nightcap, including an RBI single in the 3rd inning to give the Eagles the lead. In the 5th inning, Central Methodist got some breathing room after an RBI single from Gorman brought home Willis for a 2-0 lead.

UP NEXT:

The Eagles resume a busy weekend of conference action with a double-header against Graceland tomorrow afternoon. First pitch will be thrown at noon inside the Cox Softball Complex.