St. Louis, Mo. — No. 17 CMU softball split a high-level road doubleheader against No. 10 Missouri Baptist Saturday in the NAIA SB Games of the Week in St. Louis.
The Spartans claimed the opener 9-1 before the Eagles answered with a 7-6 victory in game two.
With the split, Central Methodist moves to 21-10 overall and 7-3 in conference play, while Missouri Baptist stands at 22-7 overall and 8-2 in Heart action.
Game 1: Missouri Baptist 9 - Central Methodist 1 (5 inn.)
After a scoreless first inning, Central struck first in the second as Emma King launched a solo home run to right-center to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Missouri Baptist responded in the third, plating three runs to take control. The Spartans then broke the game open in the fourth inning, scoring six runs highlighted by a two-run homer and a three-run homer.
King led Central Methodist offensively, going two-for-two with the lone RBI. Joely Crider also added two hits in the loss.
Game 2: Central Methodist 7 - Missouri Baptist 6
The Eagles bounced back in the second game, using timely hitting and late offense to secure the split.
Central jumped ahead early in the second inning when Kinlei Boley hit a two-run home run. The Eagles added another run in the third on an RBI double by Elizabeth Palumbo to build a 3-0 advantage.
Missouri Baptist answered with a three-run third inning to tie the game, but Central Methodist regained control in the fourth. An RBI single from Brianna Craig and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Crider pushed the lead to 5-3.
After the Spartans trimmed the deficit to 5-4 in the fifth, the Eagles added crucial insurance in the seventh. RBI singles from Maddie Holly and Rachel Brandt extended the lead to 7-4.
Missouri Baptist made a late push with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, including a solo home run, but Boley closed the door to earn the save.
Boley led the Eagles at the plate, going two-for-four with a home run and two RBIs. Craig and Brandt each added two hits, while Crider reached base three times.
Haley Cotter earned her fifth win after tossing 6.1 innings and allowing three earned runs. Boley recorded the final two outs to secure her second save of the season.
Up Next:
CMU returns home to host William Woods University for a Sunday doubleheader at Reardon Family Field. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1:00 p.m.
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