Columbia, Mo. – No. 17 CMU Softball exploded for 29 runs across two run-rule victories Thursday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo.
The Eagles rolled to a 13-0 win in the opener before finishing the sweep with a 16-1 victory in five innings in game two.
Central's offense was relentless all day, combining for 29 hits while allowing just six hits in the circle.
Game 1: No. 17 Central Methodist 13 - Stephens 0 (5 innings)
The Eagles wasted no time setting the tone in the opener, plating three runs in the first inning highlighted by Elizabeth Palumbo's leadoff home run to center.
CMU added four more runs in the second inning, with Maddie Holly delivering a two-run single and Emma King following with a two-RBI knock to push the lead to 7-0.
The Eagles broke things open in the fourth, scoring four more runs behind RBI hits from King, Kinlei Boley and Sami Picha. They tacked on two additional runs in the fifth to secure the run-rule victory.
King led the offensive surge, going two-for-three with five RBI, while Holly added two hits and two RBI. Boley also recorded a multi-hit effort with two RBI.
In the circle, Anna Stasia Ballew earned the win with four shutout innings, allowing just two hits. Boley closed the door with a scoreless fifth inning, striking out two.
Game 2: No. 17 Central Methodist 16 - Stephens 1 (5 innings)
The Eagles used another late offensive explosion to complete the sweep, scoring 12 runs in the fifth inning to turn a 4-0 game into a 16-1 rout.
After scoring twice in the second and adding two more in the third on a two-run home run from Kaysie Jolley, CMU broke the game wide open in the fifth.
The inning featured RBI contributions up and down the lineup, including a three-run homer from Joely Crider and a three-RBI performance from Boley. Teri Williams, Madison Roberts and Karlee Sefrit also drove in runs during the decisive frame.
Jolley paced the Eagles with three runs scored and a home run, while Boley went three-for-four with three RBI. Crider finished with three RBI, and Emma King scored three times in the win.
Karlie Barnum was dominant in the start, improving to 7-0 after tossing four shutout innings with seven strikeouts and just two hits allowed. Haley Cotter worked the fifth inning in relief.
Up Next:
Central Methodist returns to Heart of America action with a doubleheader against MidAmerica Nazarene Saturday, March 21st beginning at 1:00 p.m. in Olathe, Kansas.
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