Columbia, Mo. - The Central Methodist softball team split its pair of games in the Opening Round of the NAIA Softball National Championship, defeating No. 4 seeded Ottawa (Ariz.), 3-0 followed by a 3-2 loss to No. 2 Freed Hardeman (Tenn.) in the nightcap.
With their first win of the day, the Eagles picked up their 50th win of the season, marking the first time in program history the team has reached 50 victories in a year.
The Eagles scored all three of their runs in the second inning of game one. Madison White started the inning with a solo home run to right field, giving CMU a 1-0 lead. After a double by Micaela Harcrow, a wild pitch by the Ottawa pitcher moved Harcrow over to third. Katelyn Kiser then singled to shallow center which scored Harcrow, pushing Central's lead to 3-0.
Kelena Oots and Kelli Gorman each picked up two hits on the evening, while Oots collected a double as did Harcrow. Junior ace Keighlan Cronin tossed all seven innings, giving up only four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts, good enough to push her overall record to 27-2. The 27 wins are a new single season record, in addition to a new program record for shut outs (14), both of which were held by Aubrey Utley.
In game two, the first three and a half innings were scoreless, before the Lions jumped out in front with a pair of runs in the fourth. Freed-Hardeman added its third run in the next half-inning.
Central looked to mount a comeback in the seventh. After a strikeout, Morgan Willis and Kelli Gorman collected back-to-back singles, putting runners at first and second. With two outs, Madison White crushed a ball to deep center to score both Willis and Gorman to trim the lead to 3-2.
However, the Lions were able to retire the final Eagle batter, holding on for a narrow 3-2 victory. White and Willis both led the offense with two hits apiece, while White drove in both runners. Madison Love tossed six innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits with six strikeouts.
The Eagles will play the loser of tonight's game between Ottawa and College of Idaho on Wednesday, May 19 at 1:00 p.m. in an elimination game.
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