Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The No. 1 Central Methodist Softball program faced No. 8 MidAmerica Pioneers to kickstart their pursuit of a four-peat at the Heart Conference Tournament Thursday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

MNU got on the board first, taking a 2-0 lead after putting up a run in both the the second and third innings. 

The Eagles responded with three runs in the bottom of the third to quickly erase the deficit.

Maddie Holly pushed across the first two runs for Central with a two-RBI single followed by a sacrifice fly from Lauren Hill.

Following a scoreless fourth inning, the Eagles offense exploded in the fifth with seven more runs.

Sami Picha and Daly Garland both had two-RBI at bats. Picha scored two with a single while Garland did the same with a double.

Madison Roberts followed with a three-RBI double to left field to push CMU's lead to 9-2. 

The Eagles were then just one run shy away from a walk-off mercy rule victory in their first game of postseason play.

Holly completed the job with a double to right, bringing home the pinch runner of Kendall Miller and giving Central their first win of the tournament.

Haley Cotter had a five inning performance, allowing just two runs, both unearned, with one strikeout.

Holly led Central's offense, batting three-for-four with three RBI. 

Roberts and Picha also had multi-hit games, each finishing two-for-three at the plate.

CMU will return to action Friday afternoon, facing No. 4 seeded Baker in the winner's bracket. 

First pitch is slated for 12:00 p.m. from Busse Field in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

#Take Flight