Cedar Rapids, Iowa — The No. 2 CMU softball program delivered a statement performance Saturday afternoon, erupting for 13 runs on 16 hits in a 13-1, five-inning victory over No. 1 seed Missouri Baptist on day three of the Heart Conference Tournament in Cedar Rapids.
With the win, Central (37-15) advances to Sunday's championship game for the fourth time in the last five years.
The Eagles wasted no time setting the tone, plating two runs in the opening frame. Maddie Holly sparked the early surge with an RBI triple to right, scoring Joely Crider, before an error allowed Holly to come home and make it 2-0.
Missouri Baptist (39-11) answered with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half, but that would be its lone run of the contest as the Eagles' pitching staff locked in from there.
Central broke the game open in the second inning, sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring six runs. Kaysie Jolley and Elizabeth Palumbo each drove in runs before Holly added an RBI double. The decisive blow came from Madison Roberts, who launched a three-run home run to right-center, extending the lead to 8-1.
Despite the offensive explosion, a pivotal defensive moment came in the bottom of the second. After Missouri Baptist loaded the bases with one out, Haley Cotter entered in relief and calmly shut the door. Cotter induced a foul out and a groundout to strand all three runners, preserving the Eagles' momentum and keeping the Spartans off the scoreboard.
The Eagles continued to add on in the third, with Jolley and Palumbo delivering RBI doubles to push the advantage to 10-1.
CMU capped the scoring in the fifth. Holly added a sacrifice fly, and Roberts struck again with a two-run double, finishing with a game-high five RBI.
At the plate, the Eagles were led by Jolley, who went three-for-four with three runs and two RBI, while Palumbo added three hits and two RBI. Holly totaled three RBI, and Roberts powered the offense with her home run and five RBI.
In the circle, Karlie Barnum got the start, while Cotter was outstanding in relief, allowing just one hit over 3.2 shutout innings and escaping the second-inning jam that proved to be a turning point. Cotter earned the win to improve her season record to 11-6.
Central finished with 13 runs on 16 hits and committed no errors, while Missouri Baptist was limited to just four hits.
The Eagles now turn their attention to Sunday's championship matchup, looking to capture their fourth tournament title in the last five seasons. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. Central's opponent will be determined at the conclusion of Saturday's games.
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