The No. 6 Central Methodist Softball team began Heart of America play with authority over the weekend, sweeping their conference opening doubleheader against Mid-America Nazarene Saturday before splitting a doubleheader with Graceland University on Sunday at Cox Softball Complex.

The university honored longtime head coach Pat Reardon before a boisterous home crowd between games on Saturday with a plaque commemorating 1,000 career victories.

The Central bats exploded as six home runs drove in all 10 runs to defeat MNU in game one in five innings, 10-2, before securing a 12-6 win in the finale on Saturday. The Eagles opened Sunday’s doubleheader against Graceland with an 8-0 shutout before losing a one-run heartbreaker in the second game, 1-0.

The Eagles now stand at 19-5 overall and 3-1 in the Heart of America Conference. Central has won 15 of its last 17 games dating back to February 23. MNU falls to 7-17 and 0-4, while Graceland moves to 10-18 overall and 3-1 in conference action. 

Saturday, March 22

Game 1: 

MNU 2

CMU 10

The Pioneers struck first, putting up two runs in the top of the second off a double to right center field. The Eagles responded in the fourth inning, tying things up with a Daly Garland two-run homer.

Elizabeth Palumbo continued to showcase Central’s offensive power with a two-run home run, giving CMU a 4-2 lead heading into the fifth.

Central scored five runs on four homers in the fifth to secure a 10-2 run-rule victory. Lauren Hill, Joely Crider, Elizabeth Palumbo, and Madison Roberts all hit home runs in the final inning. 

All 10 of Central’s runs were scored via home runs.

Haley Cotter earned the win in the circle, throwing five innings while allowing just two runs on five base hits while striking out two.

Game 2: 

MNU 6

CMU 12

The Eagles carried their offensive presence into game two, scoring six runs in the first inning. Roberts started the scoring with an RBI-double to left center field.

With Central up by one, CMU connected on three singles and drew a bases-loaded walk to push their lead to 5-0.

After allowing no runs in the bottom half of the opening frame, Central tallied four more in the second, with Roberts driving in her third run of the game.

The Pioneers got one back in the third with a solo blast to center field.

Hill helped put CMU on the scoreboard for the third straight inning, knocking a single past the infield. Jolley would score on the next play on a throwing error by the Pioneers’ shortstop.

MidAmerica refused to go away quietly. The Pioneers responded with a grand slam in the fifth inning, followed by one more run in the sixth to make it an 11-6 contest.

Kendall Miller squared off a double to left center to bring home Crider in the sixth for the 12th and final run of the game for CMU.

Cassidy Brent was the winning pitcher in the 12-6 victory, securing her fifth victory of the year.

After Khloe Perkins retired one batter, Veronica Dearth took care of the rest, allowing one hit and striking out one in almost two full innings of work.

Sunday, March 23

Game 1: 

GU 0

CMU 8

Central won its third straight game of the weekend home stand in Sunday’s opener, blanking Graceland University 8-0 in five innings. The offense was once again in fine form. The Eagles jumped out in front with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. A Rachel Brandt double to left-center to score Lauren Hill started the inning for CMU. Two batters later and with runners at second and third, Daly Garland grounded out to the shortstop, who elected for the put-out at first, allowing Brandt to score from third.

The third and final run of the inning came off the bat of Joely Crider, who singled to left field to score Makayla Albert.

Central’s next run came in the third, as Madison Roberts scored on a triple to right field, which was followed by an error by the right fielder. This error gave Roberts enough time to scamper home for Central’s fourth run of the game.

After back-to-back outs to begin the fourth, Crider sent a solo shot over the right-field wall to put CMU up 5-0.

The Eagles capped the game with three runs in the fifth. Brandt drew a bases-loaded walk to give CMU a 6-0 advantage. Back-to-back singles from Makayla Albert and Garland put the finishing touches on Central’s 8-0 shutout.

Roberts highlighted an impressive batting lineup for Central, going a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI. The junior was just a home run shy of hitting for the cycle.

Khloe Perkins picked up her fifth win of the year in the circle, allowing no runs on just four hits.

Sunday, March 23

Game 2: 

MNU 1

CMU 0

The Yellowjackets tightened up their pitching and defense in game two, holding CMU to just five hits but no runs. Central had runners in scoring position in both the first and fourth innings but were unable to bring them across.

GU’s lone score of the game came in the top of the first inning, as a pair of passed balls were enough to bring in a run.

The Eagles had their best opportunity of the game in the fifth, with just one out and runners at the corners. But Graceland’s pitching retired consecutive Eagle batters to maintain the slim lead.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, a double from Garland put the tying run in scoring position. However, Graceland’s pitching and excellent defensive play held CMU off the scoreboard in the Eagles’ final two at-bats.

The defeat marked Central’s first conference loss since May 29, 2023.

Haley Cotter was the starter for Central. The right-hander threw a complete game, giving up no earned runs on just two hits while striking out three.

CMU will continue Heart play on Saturday in Dubuque, Iowa, with a doubleheader against Clarke University. On Sunday, The Eagles travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for two Heart games against Mount Mercy. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. on both days.

Reardon and the Eagles return home for a doubleheader against Benedictine on Sunday, April 6, to open a six-game home stand through April 13.