Tahlequah, Okla. - The Central Methodist softball team posted a perfect 4-0 mark at the NSU-Cherokee Nation Festival this past Friday and Saturday in Tahlequah, Okla.
Central boasted wins over Doane (Neb.), Tabor (Kan.), Midland (Neb.), and an upset bid over No. 16 Central Baptist College to finish out the weekend. The Eagles improve their overall record to a perfect 8-0 entering next week's Red Dirt Classic in Oklahoma City, Okla.
In the first game on Friday, the Eagle bats made quick work of Doane, scoring a run in the bottom of the second on a bases-loaded walk for a 1-0 lead. The following inning, Central picked up 10 runs on 10 hits, including a leadoff triple from Kelli Gorman followed by a double from Hannah Criswell, and a double by Katelyn Kiser.
Despite giving up an RBI single in the top of the fourth, Central maintained its double-digit lead en route to an 11-1 win in five innings.
Madison White batted a perfect three-for-three with two RBI. Gorman, followed with two hits and an RBI, while Kiser, Sewell, and Jordan Jenkins recorded two RBI apiece. Keighlan Cronin tossed all five innings for CMU, giving up only one earned run on one hit while recording 12 strikeouts to earn her fourth win of the season.
Central followed up the 10 run victory over Doane with a 9-0 shutout of KCAC member Tabor University. Scoring three runs in the second, third, and fourth innings respectively, the offense finished the day with 11 hits and four walks. The duo of Madison Love and Katelyn Kolb finished the day with three hits apiece, while Love scored three runs and drove in four total RBI.
She also picked up the win in the circle, pitching five scoreless innings and allowing just one hit and two walks against 17 batters faced. Love also struck out nine Blue Jays en route to her third win of 2021.
The Eagles returned to the diamond for a showdown against Midland University, picking up the 12-4 win in six innings over the Warriors. Love once again led the bats with three hits followed by Jenkins with two. Willis, Gorman, and Criswell each drove in three RBI. Cronin got the start in the circle, throwing four innings and striking out five batters.
Trista Heavin came in relief for the final two innings, striking out three of the six batters faced.
The finale was a thriller as Central squared off against No. 16 Central Baptist College, earning an exciting 5-4 upset victory. Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, an RBI double from White followed by an error on the CBC catcher drove in two runs to cut the deficit to 4-3. Kiser and Harcrow recorded back-to-back singles before a wild throw from the left fielder allowed Kiser to dash home to tie the game at 4-4.
After a scoreless sixth inning, CMU had a chance for the walk-off in the bottom of the seventh. Kiser and Harcrow once again strung together back-to-back singles to put Central in scoring position. Kolb secured the win at the next at-bat with the game-winning RBI double to right field.
Willis and Harcrow each batted a perfect three-for-three, and as a team, the Eagles picked up 12 hits compared to seven for the Mustangs. Love toseed all seven innings in the circle, securing her fourth win of the season.
The Eagles continue tournament action with a trip to Oklahoma City, Okla. to partake in the Red Dirt Classic on March 5-6.
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