Gulf Shores, Ala. - The No. 13 Central Methodist softball program posted a 5-2 record at the Gulf Shores Invitational this past weekend in Gulf Shores, Ala.
The Eagles now stand at 8-3 overall heading into the conference portion of their schedule.
Game 1 vs. Lyon
Freshman pitcher Mykala Johnico had a monster day in the circle for Central. The Topeka, Kan. native tossed a no-hitter including a career-high 19 strikeouts to earn her second win of 2022.
Sophomore Micaela Harcrow got Central on the board on a sacrifice fly to left field in the second inning. Senior outfielder Kelli Gorman padded the Eagles lead in the fourth with another sacrifice fly, this time to right field which scored Madison White.
Game 2 vs. Louisiana Christian
The Eagles offense dominated in game two Friday, defeating Louisiana Christian, 22-2 in five innings. The 22 runs scored are the most be a Central team since April 12, 2013, when they scored 21 runs against Southwest Baptist University.
Overall, CMU scored 22 runs on 24 hits and five walks. 16 different Eagles picked up at least one hit, while Kelena Oots led the way with three hits, and Kelli Gorman, Madison White, Madison Love, Macey Harrington, Katelyn Kiser, and Daly Garland each picked up two.
Game 3 vs. Houston-Victoria
Central jumped out in front quickly on the Jaguars, scoring four runs in the first inning. Gorman smashed a double to the outfield to score Oots, followed by a double from Katelyn Kiser to bring in two more runners.
CMU would pad its lead in the fourth inning with a single from Abbie Marshall to score Daly Garland. Houston-Victoria responded with three runs in the fifth inning, but Central would hold its lead to go on and complete the day one sweep.
The Eagle bats finished the game with five runs on 10 hits including one walk. Gorman led the offense with two hits, including an RBI-double and triple.
Keighlan Cronin picked up the complete-game victory in the circle, tossing all seven innings. The senior from Saint Charles, Mo. gave up only three earned runs on five hits including 15 strikeouts.
Game 4 vs. Texas A&M Texarkana
CMU began the Saturday portion of the Invitational with a 5-4 victory over Texas A&M Texarkana. A&M Texarkana got on the board first with a run in the first and two runs in the second to take a 3-0 lead after two complete innings. CMU responded with two runs in the third and three in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead.
A&M Texarkana answered back with a run in the bottom of the fouth, but Central's pitching staff shut the Eagles out in the final three innings to preserve the win.
Macey Harrington highlighted the game for Central with the go-ahead three-run home in the fourth inning. Harcrow and Gorman also picked up RBI singles, while Harcrow led the bats with three hits.
Madison Love earned the victory in the circle, tossing five complete innings and giving up only two earned runs. Johnico came in relief in the final two innings, striking out all six batters faced to earn the save.
Game 5 vs. Georgia Gwinnett
Central concluded Saturday with a 2-0 shut out of the Grizzlies of Georgia Gwinnett. CMU's only two runs came via fielding errors by the Georgia Gwinnett defense in the second inning.
Cronin had another impressive showing in the circle, pitching a two-hit complete game shut out. She retired 22 batters faced, giving up only one walk and striking out 11 Grizzlies.
Game 6 vs. Our Lady of the Lake
The Eagles fell in their first game Sunday to Our Lady of the Lake, 7-1. The Saints jumped out in front quickly with four runs in the first and two in the second.
Love and Johnico both saw action in the circle, as Love got the start. The senior from New Bloomfield, Mo. pitched 2.1 innings and gave up three earned runs. Johnico came in relief for the final 4.2 innings and gave up only one earned run on one hit and two walks. She also struck out seven batters.
Game 7 vs. William Carey
CMU concluded the tournament with a 4-2 loss to William Carey. Central scored its first run of the day on a sacrifice fly from Montana Stangel which brought in Madison White.
The Crusaders then responded with a two-run third and two-run fourth inning. Central cut the lead in half after a sacrifice fly from Abbie Marshall, which scored Harrington. The Eagles were unable to inch any closer in the final inning, as William Carey went on to win the finale.
Cronin got her third start of the weekend, tossing another complete game in the loss. She struck out 13 batters through seven innings of work and gave up only five hits.
Madison White led the Eagle bats, batting two-of-four with a run scored, while Harrington drew two walks.
Up Next
The Eagles begin the conference portion of their schedule against Benedictine College for a double header Saturay, March 12 in Atchison, Kan.
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