Pineville, La. - The Central Methodist University softball team opened the 2021 season with a pair of wins over LSU-Alexandria, held on the campus of Louisiana College Monday afternoon. The Eagles earned a 12-0 shut out in game one followed by a 10-4 win in game two. 

In the first game of the doubleheader, an RBI single from Kelli Gorman put Central out in front 1-0 in the Top of the 1st inning. The offense then exploded for seven runs in the Top of the 3rd on seven hits and an error by the defense to take an 8-0 lead. The Eagles added another run in the Top of the 4th and three more in the Top of the 5th, earning the 12-0 run rule victory in five innings. 

The offense finished the game with 13 hits while the LSUA managed just one. Keighlan Cronin tossed all five innings as the starter in the circle, giving up no runs on one hit, while striking out 11 batters. 

Kelena Oots, Gorman, Hannah Criswell, and Madison White each collected two hits. Oots, Morgan Willis, and Micaela Hardgrow picked up two RBI apiece including a two run home run from Willis. 

In the second game of the doubleheader, the bats remained hot as Central scored three runs in the Top of the 1st inning, three in the third, two in the fourth and two in the sixth to outpace LSUA, 10-4. 

Junior pitcher Madison Love threw a complete game, tossing seven innings and allowing six hits on four runs with two being unearned. She also retired 20 batters, including nine strikeouts. White led the offense with three hits, and four RBI, highlighted by a double and a home run. 

Central continues its tour of Louisiana with a matchup against NCAA DIII Louisiana College Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. in Alexandria, La. 

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