Fayette, Mo. — No. 18 Central Methodist dropped a pair of tightly contested games to Mount Mercy in a Saturday doubleheader at Reardon Family Field, falling 4-3 in Game 1 and 6-5 in Game 2.

The Eagles now stand at 25-12 overall and 11-5 in conference play, while the Mustangs move to 14-20 and 9-7 in the Heart of America

Game 1: Mount Mercy 4 - No. 18 Central Methodist 3

Central jumped out to an early lead in the opener, plating two runs in the first inning behind a two-run home run from Maddie Holly that scored Joely Crider.

The Eagles maintained a 2-1 advantage into the sixth inning, when Kinlei Boley extended the lead to 3-1 with a solo home run to center field.

Mount Mercy answered in dramatic fashion in the seventh. After putting two runners on, a three-run home run to center field gave the Mustangs a 4-3 lead.

Central Methodist threatened in the bottom half but was unable to push across the tying run.

Boley led the Eagles at the plate, going two-for-three with an RBI, while Crider added a pair of hits. Holly finished with two RBI on her first-inning homer.

Game 2: Mount Mercy 6 - No. 18 Central Methodist 5

Central struck first in the opening inning, as Emma King drove in a run with an RBI single. Mount Mercy responded with a four-run third inning to take control, highlighted by a two-run single.

Trailing 6-2 entering the sixth, the Eagles began to chip away. Boley drove in a run with an RBI single in the sixth before a late rally in the seventh brought Central within one.

King came through again with a two-run single in the final frame to cut the deficit to 6-5, but the Eagles were unable to complete the comeback.

King paced the offense with a three-for-three performance and four RBI, while Elizabeth Palumbo and Holly each recorded two hits. Boley also added an RBI.

Up Next:

Central heads out on the road for a rescheduled doubleheader against No. 17 Grand View Monday, April 13 beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Des Moines, Iowa.

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