Fayette, Mo. – The CMU softball season ended Wednesday afternoon as the Eagles fell to No. 1 seed Madonna University, 1-0, in the NAIA Opening Round Championship at Reardon Family Field.

The loss ends Central's season with a 40-17 overall record, while Madonna improves to 48-4 and punches their ticket to the NAIA World Series in Columbus, Georgia, later this month.

It also marks the final game for CMU seniors: Kaysie Jolley, Isabella Proctor, Sami Picha, Joely Crider, Haley Cotter, Carly Robbins, Madison Roberts, Makayla Albert, and Elizabeth Palumbo.

In a tightly contested pitcher's duel, the Eagles outhit the Crusaders 7-4 but were unable to push a run across against the Madonna pitching staff.

Central threatened multiple times throughout the afternoon, collecting hits in five of the seven innings. Crider paced the offense, batting three-for-four, while Emma King added two hits. Rachel Brandt recorded the Eagles' lone extra-base hit with a double.

The Eagles stranded nine runners on base and were held scoreless despite putting the leadoff runner aboard in both the fourth and fifth innings.

Cotter got the start in the circle for CMU and delivered 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out one. Kinlei Boley entered in relief and kept the Crusaders off the board until the bottom of the sixth inning.

Madonna broke the scoreless tie in the sixth after a double to left center followed by an RBI single.

CMU had one final opportunity in the top of the seventh, but Madonna retired the side to seal the championship victory for the Crusaders.

The Eagles conclude the 2026 campaign with a 40-17 overall record, marking the eighth time in the last 10 years the program has reached the 40-win plateau.

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