Des Moines, Iowa - The No. 3 Central Methodist Softball team completed a perfect weekend with a doubleheader sweep of Grand View University Sunday afternoon in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Eagles won the first game in thrilling fashion, 4-2, before shutting the Vikings out in the finale, 4-0.
Central improves its overall record to 37-3 and 18-0 in conference action. In addition, the Eagles are now winners of 20 consecutive games dating back to mid-March. Grand View now stands at 28-13 and 12-8 in conference action.
In game one, the Vikings jumped out in front first with a pair of runs in the third inning. Daly Garland cut the lead in half in the fourth on a RBI double to score Lauren Hill.
Hill would tie the game in fifth on a sacrifice fly to foul territory with the bases loaded to plate Madison White from third.
Both teams remained scoreless through the next two innings, and the game would be decided in extras. In the top of the eighth, a Madison Roberts single scored Cassidy Brent from second to five Central a 3-2 lead.
The following at bat saw Lauren Hill reach base on an error by the Grand View centerfielder which would score White.
Trailing 4-2 in the bottom half of the frame, a walk by the second Viking batter put a runner on first with one out.
The next at-bat saw Grand View line into a double play over to Garland at third, who then threw to Elizabeth Palumbo at first for the 5-3 double play to end the game.
Central finished game one scoring four runs on 12 hits with seven walks.
Sophomore pitcher Jordyn Ball improved her perfect record to 18-0 as she threw all eight innings. Ball finished the game giving up just two runs with eight strikeouts.
In game two, Central scored the first three runs of the game in the top of the fourth inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Joely Crider and a two RBI double from Roberts.
Leading 3-0 in the seventh, a double from Palumbo to score Emily Sheffield proved to be the final run of the game.
Haile Farris tossed another shut out, throwing all seven innings and giving up just two hits and one walk. She also struck out seven batters and improved her overall record to 13-1.
The Eagles return home to host Culver-Stockton College Thursday, April 25 for a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Cox Softball Complex.
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