Shawnee, Okla. – The No. 8-ranked Central Methodist softball team opened play at the NAIA SB Invitational in impressive fashion Friday, earning a pair of victories over No. 25 Evangel University and Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
The Eagles moved to 6-0 on the young season with a 3-2 win over Evangel before erupting for 17 hits in a 13-5 triumph against Oklahoma Panhandle State in six innings later in the day.
Game 1: No. 8 Central Methodist 3 - No. 25 Evangel 2
In a tightly contested matchup between ranked foes, Central Methodist used timely hitting and steady pitching to edge Evangel, 3-2.
The Valor struck first in the opening inning on an RBI single. The Eagles responded in the fourth when Kinlei Boley laced a single through the right side to score Madison Roberts and knot the game at 1-1.
Emma King provided the spark in the sixth inning, launching a solo home run to left-center to give CMU its first lead of the afternoon at 2-1. King finished a perfect three-for-three at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.
The Eagles added an insurance run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Maddie Holly that plated Kendall Miller. That run proved critical as Evangel answered with an RBI double in the bottom half, but CMU reliever Karlie Barnum closed the door to secure the win.
Central Methodist tallied eight hits in the contest, with Kaysie Jolley adding two. Holly and Boley each drove in a run.
In the circle, Haley Cotter worked the first five innings, allowing one run on six hits while striking out three. Barnum (2-0) earned the win in relief, tossing the final two innings and striking out two.
Game 2: No. 8 Central Methodist 13 - Oklahoma Panhandle State 5
The Eagles' offense caught fire in game two, tallying 17 hits in a 13-5 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State.
After OPSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, Central answered immediately. Madison Roberts delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the frame, and the Eagles surged ahead with a three-run second inning highlighted by a two-run single from Holly.
OPSU briefly reclaimed the lead in the fourth on a three-run homer.
CMU then erupted for four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Holly drove in a run with a sacrifice fly before Emma King roped a two-run double to right-center. Renay Myers capped the inning with an RBI single to make it 8-5.
The Eagles put the game away with a five-run sixth inning. Rachel Brandt started the rally with an RBI single, followed by run-scoring hits from Joely Crider and Kaysie Jolley. Elizabeth Palumbo delivered the final blow with a two-run double to center, extending the lead to 13-5.
Palumbo led the offense with three RBI, while Holly also drove in three. Roberts went three-for-four with two runs scored, and Jolley crossed the plate three times.
Kinlei Boley started in the circle, allowing five runs over 3.2 innings. Emma Ray tossed 2.1 scoreless innings and struck out three to earn the victory.
Up Next:
The Eagles close out the Invitational with games against No. 1 Southern Oregon (12:30) and Mid-America Christian (2:45) Saturday, Feb. 21.
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