Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The Central Methodist Softball team punched its ticket to the Heart Tournament semifinals with a convincing 8-1 victory over No. 5 seeded William Penn Friday afternoon in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Central improves its overall record to 37-4 and pushes its win streak to 28 games. The 28-game winning streak is the longest streak of any Central softball program in the last 15 years. 

CMU plated its first run of the game in the second inning, courtesy of an RBI single from Kelena Oots to score Daly Garland. Madison Love homered to left field to lead off the fourth inning, pushing Central's lead to 2-0. Oots then singled back up the middle to score Katelyn Kiser and Kaylee Parker. Now leading 4-0, Mikayla Pennell homered to left field to stretch the Eagles' lead to 5-0. 

The Statesmen would cut the lead to 5-1 in the sixth inning on an RBI single. However, Central would close the game out with three runs in the sixth inning. An RBI double from Micaela Harcrow followed by an error from the Statesmen right fielder scored two runs. With the bases loaded, Garland singled to right field to score Kelli Gorman, making the final score 8-1 in favor of Central. 

Keighlan Cronin earned her 19th win of the year, tossing a complete game with five strikeouts. Cronin gave up only one earned run on three hits and two walks. 

Oots and Harcrow led the Eagle bats with three hits apiece, including three RBI for Oots. 

Central will next face Mount Mercy University in the semifinals Saturday, May 7 at 12:00 p.m. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

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