Gulf Shores, Ala. - The No. 8 Central Methodist Softball program capped the Gulf Shores Invitational with a 3-1 loss to No. 4 Southeastern Sunday morning in Gulf Shores, Ala. 

The Eagles end the tournament with a 3-2 record and now sit at 8-4 overall through their first 12 games of 2023. The Fire are 7-8. 

Central jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, courtesy of a RBI-double to left field from junior shortstop Madison White. 

The Eagles held the lead through the next two innings before the Fire scored three runs in the fourth. Central retired the first two batters of the inning. However, Southeastern strung together back-to-back hits and a walk to load the bases. 

The Fire tied the game on a bases loaded walk, followed by an error by the Central infield to score two. 

Trailing 3-1, Central collected three hits over the final two innings, and had the bases loaded with just one out. 

Southeastern's pitching staff settled down and forced back-to-back ground outs to preserve the 3-1 victory. 

Both Katelyn Kiser and Kaysie Jolley collected two hits to lead the Eagle bats, including a double for Jolley. 

Haile Farris got the start in the cirlce for Central, tossing four complete innings and giving up just one earned run on five hits with three walks. 

Jordyn Ball pitched the final three innings, holding the Fire scoreless and allowing four hits. 

The Eagles continue non-conference action against Faulkner Monday, March 6 for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. in Montgomery, Ala. 

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