Fayette, Mo. - The No. 7 Central Methodist softball team are winners of 12 consecutive games after sweeping Graceland University Saturday and Peru State Sunday at Cox Softball Complex in Fayette, Mo.
The Eagles improve their overall record to an outstanding 24-1 and are a perfect 10-0 in conference action. It marks the first time since 2018 that Central has opened up Heart play 10-0.
CMU began the weekend with a pair of 8-0 shutout victories over Graceland Saturday afternoon. Keighlan Cronin started game one, tossing all five innings and giving up only one hit, and tying her career-high with 13 strikeouts against 16 batters faced.
Morgan Willis led the offense in game one, collecting two hits including an RBI double and a three-run home run to right-center field. Jordan Jenkins, Kelena Oots, and Hannah Criswell each drove in an RBI as well.
The Eagles opened game two with five runs in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Kelli Gorman, and a single from Katelyn Kiser. Leading 7-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Madison Love solidified another run-rule victory for CMU with a solo home run to right field on the first pitch of the at-bat.
Love improved her overall record to 10-1, throwing five complete innings and allowing no runs on four hits and a walk. She also recorded five strikeouts.
Central then took on Peru State College for a Sunday doubleheader, defeating the Bobcats by scores of 8-0 and 9-0, both in five innings. Gorman collected two hits in game one, both extra-base hits along with two RBI. Madison White also batted two-for-four with a double and two RBI.
Cronin once again pitched every inning en-route to her 12th win of the year. She tallied 11 K's and gave up only one hit and a walk, finishing the day retiring 17 of 19 batters. Gorman led the offensive charge with two doubles and two RBI, followed by White who also picked up two hits, and an RBI double which proved to be the game-winning run in the sixth inning
The Eagles concluded the weekend with a 9-0 victory in the finale. CMU scored three runs in the first, second, and fourth innings to secure the win. CMU tallied 12 hits and six RBI. Gorman finished the day with three RBI including a three-run home run to center in the bottom of the first.
Along with driving in two runs, Love added her 11th win of 2021 with her second shutout of the weekend. The junior tossed all five innings and recorded two strikeouts.
CMU heads back out on the road for a matchup against rival Missouri Valley College Wednesday, March 31st. The first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. in Marshall.
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