Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist Softball team continues to roll in non-conference play, as they completed doubleheader sweeps of both Williams Baptist and Saint Mary this past weekend at Cox Softball Complex.
The Eagles defeated WBU by scores of 6-2 and 10-1 on Friday, followed by wins over the Spires, 8-0 and 3-1 on Sunday.
Highlighting the weekend for the Eagles was the milestone achievement set by Head Coach Pat Reardon. Coach Reardon tallied his 950th career victory with the Eagles' game one win over Saint Mary Sunday.
To date, Reardon boasts a career record of 951-572. He is currently the fourth all-time winningest softball coach in NAIA history, and is just one of four coaches to record at least 950 wins in a career.
His teams have seen unprecendented success the past decade, as CMU Softball has won seven regular-season conference championships and five conference tournament titles in an 11-year span. He is currently in his 32nd season leading the Eagles in 2024.
Game 1: No. 4 CMU 6 - Williams Baptist 2
In the weekend opener, Central plated runs in each of the first four innings to take a 6-0 lead. The Eagles of Williams Baptist scored a pair of runs in the fifth inning to cut the deficit to four. However, CMU held WBU scoreless through the final two innings of work, as Central secured a 6-2 win.
Sophomore pitcher Jordyn Ball pushed her perfect record to 7-0 with a complete game victory. Ball allowed no earned runs on just four hits and struck out 12 batters.
Kaysie Jolley, Lauren Hill, and Carly Robbins each picked up two hits, while Elizabeth Palumbo drove in two runners, including a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. Hill also tallied an RBI double in the second inning, while each of Robbins' two hits were doubles.
Game 2: No. 4 CMU 10 - Williams Baptist 1
After Central scored two runs in the second inning, the offense exploded for eight runs in the fourth to pick up a run-rule victory in five innings. Haile Farris had a masterful game in the circle, giving up just one run on four hits with six strikeouts.
The Eagles got production from up and down the lineup, as eight of nine Eagles in the starting lineup recorded at least one hit. Raelyn Tanner had the best day for CMU, as the freshman drove in a team-leading four RBI including a bases clearing double in the fourth inning.
Sophomore Joely Crider also homered to centerfield in the fourth inning, while Madison White tripled in the second to score Madison Roberts.
Game 3: No. 4 CMU 8 - Saint Mary 0
Central's bats remained hot going into Sunday afternoon against the Spires. The Eagles plated eight runs on 13 hits including four for extra bases. Jolley had a huge day at the plate, as the sophomore outfielder hit a pair of solo home runs.
Tanner batted three-for-four with a pair of RBI singles while Joely Crider, White, and Carly Robbins each drove in runners as well.
Haley Cotter had a stellar showing in the circle, as the sophomore pitched six complete innings and gave up just two hits while striking out eight batters in a shutout win. The win Sunday improved Cotter's record to 3-2 overall.
Game 4: No. 4 CMU 3 - Saint Mary 1
The lowest scoring game of the weekend came in the finale, as Central drove in its lone three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Despite the Eagles being retired in two of their first three at-bats, the four, five, and six hitters each drove in a run.
Crider got the action started with an RBI double to left centerfield which plated Jolley from second base. A single from Roberts in the following at bat to brought Palumbo home from third.
The final run of the game from CMU came from White, who hit a sacrifice fly to right field, deep enough to score Crider from third.
Central's pitching staff of both Ball and Farris combined for seven complete innings of work, giving up no earned runs on two hits. Ball earned the win, finishing with five strikeouts. Farris tallied four Ks.
Altogether, Central tallied its three runs on eight hits and four walks.
Up Next:
Central will face Cottey College Wednesday, March 13 for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. in Nevada, Mo.
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