The No. 13 Central Methodist softball program posted a 5-2 record at the Gulf Shores Invitational this past weekend in Alabama. The Lady Eagles now stand at 8-3 overall 

Game 1 

CMU-2

Lyon-0

In only her second start at CMU, freshman pitcher Mykala Johnico tossed the second no-hitter of her CMU career while striking out 19 Lyon batters to give Central a 2-0 win. In four total appearances, Johnico has struck out 42 batters. 

Sophomore Micaela Harcrow put Central on the board with a sacrifice fly to left field in the second inning. Senior outfielder Kelli Gorman padded the Eagles lead in the fourth with another sacrifice fly, this time to right field which scored sophomore Madison White. 

Game 2

CMU-22

Louisiana Christian-2

In the second game Friday, the Lady Eagles defeated Louisiana Christian, 22-2 in five innings. The 22 runs are the most runs scored by a Central team since April 12, 2013, when the Eagles scored 21 runs against Southwest Baptist University. 

Overall, CMU scored 22 runs on 24 hits and five walks. Sixteen different Eagles picked up at least one hit, while sophomore Kelena Oots led the way with three hits. Senior Kelli Gorman, sophomore Madison White, senior Madison Love, senior Macey Harrington, junior Katelyn Kiser, and freshman Daly Garland picked up two hits apiece. 

Game 3 

CMU-5

Houston Victoria-3

Central jumped out in front quickly of the Jaguars, scoring four runs in the first inning against Houston Victoria. Those four funs would be enough as Central would defeat HVU by a score of 5-3. Gorman smashed a double to the outfield to score Oots. Kiser then drove in two more to start off the first. 

CMU would pad its lead in the fourth inning with a single from freshman Abbie Marshall to score Daly Garland. Houston-Victoria responded with three runs in the fifth inning, but Central would hold its lead to go on and complete the sweep of Friday. 

The Eagle bats finished the game with five runs on 10 hits including one walk. Gorman led the offense with two hits, including an RBI double and a triple. 

Senior Keighlan Cronin picked up the complete-game victory in the circle, tossing all seven innings. She gave up only three earned runs on five hits including 15 strikeouts. 

Game 4

CMU-5

Texas A&M Texarkana-4

CMU began the Saturday portion of the Invitational with a 5-4 victory over Texas A&M Texarkana. A&M Texarkana got on the board first with a run in the first and two runs in the second to take a 3-0 lead after two innings. CMU responded with two runs in the third and three in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead. 

A&M Texarkana answered back with a run in the bottom of the fourth, but Central's pitching staff shut out A&M in the final three innings to preserve the win. 

Macey Harrington highlighted the game for Central with a go-ahead three-run home run in the fourth inning. Harcrow and Gorman also picked up RBI singles, while Harcrow led the bats with three hits. 

Madison Love earned the victory in the circle, tossing five complete innings while allowing only two earned runs. Johnico struck out all six batters faced to earn the save in the final two innings. 

Game 5

CMU-2

Georgia Gwinnett-0

Central concluded play on Saturday with a 2-0 shut out of the Grizzlies of Georgia Gwinnett. CMU's two runs came via fielding errors by the Georgia Gwinnett defense in the second inning. 

Cronin had another impressive showing in the circle, pitching a two-hit complete-game shutout. She retired 22 batters faced, giving up only one walk and striking out 11 Grizzlies.

Game 6

Our Lady of the Lake -7

CMU-1

The Eagles fell in their first game Sunday to Our Lady of the Lake, 7-1. The Saints jumped out in front quickly with four runs in the first and two in the second.

Love and Johnico both saw action in the circle, as Love got the start. The senior from New Bloomfield pitched 2.1 innings and gave up three earned runs. Johnico came in relief for the final 4.2 innings and gave up only one earned run on one hit and two walks. She also struck out seven batters.

Game 7

CMU-2

William Carey-4

CMU concluded the tournament with a 4-2 loss to William Carey. Central scored its first run of the day on a sacrifice fly from sophomore Montana Stangel which brought in Madison White. 

The Crusaders then responded with a two-run third and two-run fourth inning. Central cut the lead in half after a sacrifice fly from Abbie Marshall, which scored Harrington. The Eagles were unable to inch any closer in the final inning, as William Carey went on to win the finale. 

In her third start of the weekend, Cronin tossed another complete game in the loss. She struck out 13 batters through seven innings of work and gave up only five hits. 

Madison White led the Eagle bats, going two-for-four at the plate with a run scored, while Harrington drew two walks. 

Up Next

The Eagles begin the conference portion of their schedule against Benedictine College for a doubleheader Saturday, March 12 in Atchison, Kansas.