Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The No. 2 Central Methodist Softball team saw their conference tournament run come to an end after falling to No. 3 seeded Baker, 7-6 and No. 1 seeded Grand View 3-2 Friday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Central faced Heart South foe Baker University in the first game of the day. After exchanging runs in the second inning, the Baker offense exploded for four runs in the third to take a 5-1 lead over Central. The Wildcats added an additional run in the sixth, pushing their lead to 6-1.
However, CMU would not go quietly, tying the game with five runs in the bottom of the inning. Central picked up five runs on four hits, highlighted by a bases-clearing triple from Kelena Oots which evened the game at 6-6.
The game was to be decided in extra innings, as the score remained deadlocked. It wasn't until the ninth that the Wildcats pulled back out in front with an RBI-double, taking a 7-6 lead. CMU would manage a baserunner in the final frame but were unable to bring them around to score.
Keighlan Cronin got the start in the circle, tossing three innings and giving up five runs on seven hits. Fellow ace Madison Love finished the game, throwing the final six innings, giving up two earned runs with three strikeouts.
Oots, Madison White, and Katelyn Kiser each picked up two hits, while Love and Jordan Jenkins each drove in a run.
With the loss, Central moved to the consolation side of the bracket, where they squared off against No. 1 seed Grand View University in an elimination game.
CMU scored the first two runs in the second and third inning. Hannah Criswell singled to shallow centerfield which allowed White to dash home from second base. Criswell then drew a bases-loaded walk which scored Oots.
The Vikings responded with runs in the fourth and the sixth, via a solo home run and a sacrifice fly to left-centerfield to tie the game at 2-2. Both squads remained scoreless and the game would go into extra innings. Grand View managed a run in the top of the ninth inning on an RBI single to the infield, and would hold on in the bottom of the inning for the 3-2 victory.
Freshman Montana Stangel got her second career start, tossing 4.1 innings and giving up just one earned run on six hits and with two strikeouts. Love came in relief for the final 4.2 innings of work.
The Eagles will now turn their attention to national championship play, as they will host an Opening Round beginning on May 17 at Cox Softball Complex.
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