Bowling Green, Ky. - The No. 1 Central Methodist softball team saw its season come to an end Wednesday afternoon, falling to No. 2 Tennessee Wesleyan the NAIA Opening Round Championship game, 8-7 in Bowling Green, Ky. 

The Eagles finish their season with an overall record of 42-7, while the Bulldogs advance to the program's first-ever NAIA World Series. 

TWU jumped out in front in the bottom of the first inning on a fielder's choice to take a 1-0 lead. Central broke through in the top of the fifth inning, as Katelyn Kiser sent a solo shot to left center field to tie the game at 1-1.  

In the same inning, and after back-to-back hits from Mikayla Pennell and Daly Garland, junior catcher Kaylee Parker singled through the left side to score Pennell. Kelena Oots then laid down a sacrifice bunt to the infield, shifting both Parker and Garland into scoring postition. 

Madison White followed and hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield, which was deep enough to score Garland from third. The final run of the inning came via a single from Micaela Harcrow to score pinch runner Cassidy Brent. 

Central held a 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, before Tennessee Wesleyan plated three runs to tie the game at 4-4. The Bulldog bats remained hot in the sixth, as they scored four runs to take an 8-4 lead. 

CMU battled back in the top of the seventh, beginning with back-to-back singles from Parker and Oots. White then hit a three-run homer to left field to cut the lead to 8-7. 

However, the Buldogs were able to retire the next three batters in order to hang on for the narrow one-run victory. 

Harcrow, Pennell, and Parker each collected two hits including RBI singles for Harcrow and Parker. White tallied one hit and drove in four runners. 

Keighlan Cronin tossed five compete innings in her final appearance in an Eagle uniform, giving up four earned runs. Mykala Johnico tossed the final inning, giving up three earned runs. 

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