Columbus, Ga. - The No. 8 Central Methodist Softball team posted a 5-1 record at the NFCA Leadoff Classic held in Columbus, Georgia this past weekend.
The tournament featured several ranked NAIA programs of which the Eagles faced four. For her efforts against some of the top teams in the country, sophomore Madison Roberts was named to the NFCA Classic All-Tournament Team.
Roberts finished the tournament batting .389 with a .722 slugging percentage. She tallied seven hits including three doubles and one home run while driving in five RBI. She also scored six runs and totaled 13 bases.
Game 1: No. 8 CMU 6 - Georgetown 2
Tied at 1-1 entering the top of the fourth, senior infielder Madison White hit a three-run home run to left center to plate three and put Central out in front 4-1. A sacrifice fly from the Tigers cut the lead in half in the fifth, before White doubled down the left-field line in the next inning to score Emily Sheffield.
A ground out from Elizabeth Palumbo in the seventh scored Kaysie Jolley for the final run of the game.
White had an outstanding game at the dish, batting two-for-three with five RBI and a run scored. Roberts picked up a pair of hits including a double. Haile Farris got the start in the circle, tossing five complete innings and giving up just two earned runs on three hits while striking out eight.
Haley Cotter came in relief for the final two innings of work, striking out one batter to preserve the win.
Game 2: No. 8 CMU 8 - (RV) Embry Riddle 3
CMU jumped out in front early with a pair of runs in the first via a two-run home run from Jolley. Embry-Riddle plated three in the bottom half of the inning to move out in front 3-2. Central tied the game in the third inning with a run, followed by two more runs in the top of the fourth courtesy of a two-RBI double from Daly Garland.
Another two-run home run from Jolley and a solo shot from Roberts in the fifth inning put the game out of reach, as CMU would go on to earn a five-run victory.
The Eagles scored eight runs on 10 hits, with Kelena Oots, Jolley, and Roberts picking up two hits apiece. Jolley led the offense with a pair of two-run home runs.
Sophomore pitcher Jordyn Ball earned her fourth win of the year, tossing a complete game. The native of Fayette, Missouri allowed three earned runs on seven hits while striking out a season-high 14 batters. The 14 Ks are the second most of her young career.
Game 3: No. 8 CMU 5 - No. 3 Cumberlands 3
The first game on Saturday was a meeting between teams who reached the NAIA World Series in 2023. Cumberlands' offense got on the scoreboard first with two runs in the fourth and a run in the fifth to take a 3-0 lead over Central.
CMU's bats came alive in the bottom half of the sixth, as the Eagles scored five runs on three hits and an error to jump out in front 5-3.
Farris came in relief for the final two and two-thirds innings of work, giving up just one hit and one walk while striking out five batters. She would ultimately earn her second win of the year for her efforts.
Game 4: No. 8 CMU 11 - No. 18 Coastal Georgia 5
In another Top 25 showdown, Central's bats remained hot as they put up 11 runs on 16 hits against No. 18 Coastal Georgia. CMU scored at least one run in each inning and two runs in the first, third, fourth, and seventh innings to cruise to a six-run victory.
Jolley led the Eagle bats with a perfect four-for-four day at the plate, including three singles and a double. Carly Robbins batted three-for-four with three RBI, while Palumbo, Joely Crider, Lauren Hill, and Roberts each tallied two hits.
Farris once again came in relief and tossed three and a third scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts, earning her third win of the year.
Game 5: (RV) Indiana Southeast 1 - No. 8 CMU 0
It was a pitcher's duel in the Saturday finale, as there was just one run scored on a combined event hits. The Grenadiers broke through in the top of the sixth on an RBI single to short, plating the only run of the game.
Indiana Southeast's pitcher held the CMU bats to just four hits on the evening. Despite picking up the loss, Haley Cotter had a great outing in the circle, giving up just one unearned run on three hits with six strikeouts.
Game 6: No. 8 CMU 15 - Johnson 3
Central saved its best for last as the Eagles put up 15 runs on Johnson (Tenn.) to secure a 15-3 victory in five innings. Central was trailing 3-0 entering the top of the fourth before plating 13 runs in the fourth and two in the fifth to earn a run-rule victory.
Altogether, the Eagles scored 15 runs on 20 hits, which included seven extra bases. Palumbo batted a perfect four-for-four with four RBI. Oots, Crider, White, and Garland each recorded two hits.
Ball finished the weekend with a win, throwing all five innings and giving up just one earned run with eight strikeouts.
Up Next:
Central will head back south to compete in the Gulf Shores Invitational beginning Friday, March 1 in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
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