Bowling Green, Ky. - The No. 1 Central Methodist softball team split day two of the NAIA Softball Opening Round Tuesday in Bowling Green, Ky.
Central began the day with a narrow 1-0 loss to No. 2 Tennesee Wesleyan before winning a thriller over No. 3 Campbellsville in an elimination game, 5-4.
Game one between the Bulldogs and CMU was a pitcher's duel, as the lone run of the game was scored in the top of the second inning on a single back up the middle. Tennesee Wesleyan's pitching staff held Central to only three hits on the afternoon.
Madison Love, Madison White, and Kelli Gorman all picked up a hit for the Eagles, including a double for Love.
Keighlan Cronin tossed a complete game in only her third loss of the year. The senior gave up only one earned run on six hits with four strikeouts.
With the defeat, Central would then battle Campbellsville in an elimination game, with the winner advancing to the championship series Wednesday.
CMU's bats got hot against the Tigers starting in the bottom of the third inning. Freshman Lauren Hill got the action started with a solo home to left field, giving Central a 1-0 lead.
Following a flyout to left field, White reached base via an error by the Tiger's third basemen. Micaela Harcrow then reached on an error by the first basemen, bringing senior outfielder Kelli Gorman to the plate.
The senior doubled to deep center, plating both White and Harcrow and putting Central up 3-0. The Eagles' next run came in the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of a single by White to right center which scored Lauren Hill.
Leading 4-0, the Eagles looked poised for the shut out victory before Campbellsville found life in the final inning. The Tigers plated four runs to tie the game at 4-4, but were unable to score the go ahead run with runners at the corners. A pop-up in foul territory to Katelyn Kiser ended the inning and gave Central a chance for the walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh.
Harcrow started the bottom of the seventh with a single to left field, followed by a single from Gorman to put two on with not outs. Love followed and sent a ball back up the middle, just deep enough to score Harcrow from third and give Central the 5-4 victory.
Freshman Mykala Johnico pitched 6.1 innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits with six strikeouts. Cronin came in relief for the final 0.2 innings, earning her 22nd win of the year.
Turning to the bats, Hill notched her first home run of her career in the third inning, while Gorman batted three-of-four and nearly hit for the cycle with a single, double, and triple.
Overall, Central scored its five runs on 10 hits.
Central will square off against Tennesee Wesleyan in the Opening Round Championship Wednesday, May 18 at 1:00 p.m. The Eagles will need two wins over the Bulldogs to advance to the World Series.
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