Gulf Shores, Ala. – No. 8 Central Methodist softball wrapped up day two of the Gulf Shores Invitational Saturday with a pair of matchups against top-20 opponents, falling to No. 16 LSU-Alexandria 10-1 before dropping an 8-4 contest to No. 13 Cumberlands at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

Game 1: No. 16 LSU Alexandria 10 - No. 8 Central Methodist 1

LSU Alexandria built an early lead and never looked back, handing Central Methodist a 10-1 setback in six innings.

The Generals struck for two runs in the opening inning, using aggressive baserunning to take the early advantage. LSUA added two more in the second on a two-run double from, pushing the lead to 4-0.

The margin grew to six in the third when the Generals delivered a two-RBI single.

Central answered in the bottom half of the inning. Kaysie Jolley reached and eventually scored on an RBI single from Maddie Holly to cut the deficit to 6-1.

However, LSU Alexandria continued to apply pressure offensively. The Generals plated two runs with a single in the fifth, and sealed the scoring with a two-run homer in the sixth.

CMU recorded six hits in the contest, with Jolley, Elizabeth Palumbo, Joely Crider, Holly, Emma King and Teri Williams each collecting one. Palumbo added a double for the Eagles.

Game 2: No. 13 Cumberlands 8 - No. 8 Central Methodist 4

CMU jumped out to an early lead but couldn't hold off a late surge from Cumberlands in the second game of the day.

The Eagles erupted for four runs in the third inning to take control. Jolley opened the rally and scored on a run-scoring double by Palumbo. Crider followed with an RBI single, King added another run-scoring hit, and Holly capped the inning with an RBI double to make it 4-0.

Cumberlands answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning with a three-run homer to cut the deficit to one. The Patriots tied the game later in the frame on an RBI single. 

Cumberlands took the lead for good in the fifth on a two-run homer, followed by a pair of RBI singles to extend the advantage to 8-4.

CMU finished with 12 hits in the contest but were unable to push across another run over the final four innings.

King led the Eagles offensively with three hits and an RBI. Palumbo added two hits and a run batted in, while Crider and Holly also drove in runs.

Up Next:

Central concludes play at the Gulf Shores Invitational Sunday with matchups against Texas A&M Texarkana (9:00 a.m.) and Lindsey Wilson (11:15 a.m.). 

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