The No. 5 Central Methodist softball program completed series wins over Heart foes Benedictine College and Baker University Saturday and Sunday afternoon in Atchison and Baldwin City, Kan.
Central started the weekend with two wins over Benedictine by scores of 1-0 and 7-2, followed by two more victories over Baker, 12-2, and 8-7. With the four wins, CMU improves to 42-5 and 28-4 in the Heart. The Eagles have surpassed the 40 win plateau for the first time since the 2018 season.
The first game against the Ravens was a pitcher's duel, as only one run was scored between the two sides. The lone run came from senior outfielder Kelli Gorman, who sent a solo home run over right field in the fourth, giving Central the narrow 1-0 win. Junior ace Keighlan Cronin pitched a gem in the circle, giving up only four hits and two walks through seven complete innings. She also struck out eight batters en route to her 20th victory of the year.
CMU jumped out in front early in the second game with runs in the first and third innings. The big inning for Central came in the fifth, as the Eagles scored three runs, highlighted by another solo home run from Gorman, an RBI single from Montana Stangel, and an RBI double from Katelyn Kiser.
The Ravens responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to trim the lead to 5-2. Central secured the five-run victory in the seventh courtesy of a two-RBI single from senior third basemen Jordan Jenkins.
Madison Love picked up her 19th win in the circle, tossing a complete game and giving up only two earned runs on five hits along with two strikeouts.
Gorman led the offense batting three-of-five with two RBI including solo home runs in the first and fifth innings. Kiser finished the game with three hits including a pair of doubles.
CMU then turned their focus to Baker University for a Sunday matinee against the Wildcats in Baldwin City. Central controlled game one from start to finish, scoring a season-high 11 runs in the third inning. Gorman once again highlighted the game with a grand slam to clear the bases, marking her fourth home run of the weekend.
Hannah Criswell collected a game-high three hits paired with two RBI and a solo home run. Morgan Willis also picked up two hits and two RBI.
Cronin tossed all five innings, giving up just two earned runs on seven hits paired with five K's in the five-inning victory.
The series finale was a thriller from start to finish. Central jumped out in front quickly with five runs in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Kiser on a 1-2 count. CMU added a run in the fourth and two in the sixth, holding an 8-3 lead. Baker mounted a furious comeback in the bottom half of the sixth, scoring four runs to trim the Eagles' lead to one.
Baker nearly tied the game in the final half-inning, as Emma Ancira hit a ball to deep center field which looked to be heading over the fence for a home run. However, freshman centerfielder Kelena Oots made an outstanding catch at the fence for the final out of the game, as CMU would hang on for a one-run victory.
Micaela Harcrow finished the game batting three-for-three with a double and three runs scored. Kiser also batted 1.000 with two hits including three RBI and two runs scored. Love picked up the win, tossing five complete innings while Stangel pitched the final inning and recorded one strikeout.
Central returns home for three doubleheaders beginning with MidAmerica Nazarene Tuesday, April 27 at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. at Cox Softball Complex.
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