MARSHALL, Mo. – The Central Methodist University softball team was unstoppable at the plate, launching a total of seven homeruns in the sweep over Missouri Valley College on Friday afternoon.
GAME ONE (Win 11-5)
The score was knotted at the end of the third frame after Missouri Valley scored following a defensive mishap and Central responded with an RBI after a line drive from Kelli Gorman (SO/St. Charles, Mo.).
Back-to-back homeruns highlighted a huge fourth inning for the Eagles as they plated a total of seven. Addy Reardon (SR/Boonville, Mo.) got the rally started, launching a two-run homerun over the left field fence. Mae Mitchell (JR/Frederick, Colo.) immediately responded with a solo shot to left, forcing a pitching change.
Krista Richardson (JR/Desoto, Mo.) stepped up to the plate just two batters later, smashing another two-run shot over the left field fence on a 1-2 count. Sydnie Harmon (SR/Raymore, Mo.) followed with a slapped single to third, being immediately brought home by Morgan Willis (JR/Carrollton, Mo.) on a long ball over the centerfield fence to bring in another two runs.
The Vikings answered the homerun derby with a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth, but Gorman got the last word in the sixth as she bashed a three-run shot over the fence at center.
Ashley Wills (SR/Cameron, Mo.) got the win after tossing a complete game. She scattered eight hits and struck out five through the full seven innings.
GAME TWO (Win 9-0)
Central's bating stayed hot in the second game, as they scored nine unanswered runs to get an early win in five innings. The squad opened the first inning with a five-run scoring affair. The inning was highlighted by another two-run homer for Mitchell to left and a sacrifice fly from Reardon.
Two runs came in the third for Central after Jordan Jenkins (JR/Kansas City, Mo.) singled to left-center and Mitchell singled to right-center, each plating one. The final two runs came in the fourth inning courtesy of a two-run bomb by Hannah Criswell (SO/Kennett, Mo.) to center on a full count.
Keighlan Cronin (FR/St. Charles, Mo.) got the win on the rubber after tossing a full five innings. She retired eight batters and allowed just one hit in the shutout.
UP NEXT
Central Methodist will head to Evangel University on Tuesday, April 23, for a doubleheader. The first pitch of game one is set for 2 PM in Springfield, Mo.
