Gulf Shores, Ala. - The Central Methodist Softball team went two-for-two on the opening day of the Gulf Shores Invitational in Alabama.
Central took care of business against both opponents, defeating Point University 10-1 in fiving innings, before shutting out Thomas University 7-0 in game two.
Game 1: CMU 10 - Point 1
The Eagles gave up a run in the top of the first, resulting in a 1-0 deficit to start the game.
Veronica Dearth, who got the start for Central inside the circle, settled down and did not reliquish a run the rest of the way.
She pitched four and one third innings, allowing just one run on four hits with a strikeout.
CMU 's offense got going in the bottom of the second to push across two runs.
After Daly Garland and Ainsley Feller both walked, Joely Crider doubled to left center field to bring both runners home.
The Eagles carried that spark into the third, connecting on six hits and scoring seven runs.
Maddie Holly scored the first of the seven runs after a wild pitch.
Two batters later, Carly Robbins singled to center to plate two.
Later in the inning, Elizabeth Palumbo had bases clearing double, and Madison Roberts capped the inning with a single back up the middle to score Palumbo.
The final run of the day came from Robbins, who singled to score Kaysie Jolley.
Point began the next inning with back-to-back singles, ending Dearth's day inside the circle.
Cassidy Brent came in relief and recorded the next two outs, sealing Central's 10-1 win in five innings.
Jolley and Feller both went two-for-two with a walk, while Palumbo and Robins each drove in three runners.
Game 2: CMU 7 - Thomas 0
The Eagles and the Nighthawks were caught in a pitching duel through the first six innings of play.
Haley Cotter started in CMU's second game of the day. The junior went the distance, throwing a complete game shutout while allowing just three base hits and striking out five.
Central broke the tiebreaker in the top of the third to take a 1-0 lead
Robins singled to begin the inning and, three batters later, came around to score off a single from Palumbo.
Both teams went scorless in the middle innings, but Central managed to double their lead in the sixth.
Roberts tallied a leadoff single and advanced 60 feet after an error by the defense.
Holly came to the plate right after her and drove in Roberts on a single and another error by Thomas' outfield.
After a quick bottom of the sixth, the Eagles got some insurance in the final inning of play, adding four more runs to their tally.
The big at bat came from Jolley, who plated three off a single to give Central a 7-0 advantage.
Cotter made quick work of the Night Hawks in the bottom half of the inning to secure the win for CMU.
Up Next:
Central will take on Nelson University-Arizona at 1:30 p.m/ followed by a 3:45 p.m. matchup against William Carey.
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