The Central Methodist Softball program dropped two games on the second day of the Heart Conference Tournament, falling to Baker 5-0, then host school Mount Mercy in an elimination game, 5-2, to make an early exit from the competition.

The Eagles, however, are not finished on the season, with the National Tournament on the horizon and CMU leading Heart teams as the No. 11 team in the nation, according to the NAIA’s final poll on April 30.

Central will host the National Tournament May 12-15 at Cox Softball Complex. Opponents for the tournament were to be revealed today (Wednesday).

Game 1:

Baker 5

CMU 0

Baker took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second on an RBI single to right field.

In the bottom of the inning, the Eagles had a chance to even the score with the bases loaded and just one out but weren’t able to capitalize.

Baker’s pitching held Central hitless in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, and their offense struck again, this time in the sixth, to double their lead at 2-0

For the third time in the game, CMU had their first run standing at third, but Baker escaped the jam and kept the Eagles off the scoreboard for a sixth consecutive inning.

The Wildcats pushed across three more runs in the top of the seventh to increase their lead to 5-0.

The Eagles were down to their final three outs of the ballgame, being retired in order to their first conference tournament loss.

Baker had 11 hits in the victory, while CMU only collected three.

Central starter Veronica Dearth threw six and two-thirds innings while giving up four runs on nine hits and with seven strikeouts.

Game 2:

MMU 5

CMU 2

Moving to the elimination side of the bracket, Central plated two runs in the first inning against Mount Mercy but ultimately fell 5-2, and we’re ousted from the tournament.

After Joely Crider, Elizabeth Palumbo, and Madison Roberts all reached via walks, Maddie Holly connected on a two-RBI single to give Central a 2-0 lead.

The Mustangs responded with a run in the top of the third to cut the deficit in half.

With the score still 2-1 in favor of Central, the Mustangs were down to their final three outs.

Following back-to-back singles to open up the seventh inning, the Mustangs blasted a three-run home run to claim their first lead of the game at 4-2.

MMU added one more run on a fielder’s choice to extend their lead to 5-2.

Central could not answer in the bottom half of the inning, as Mount Mercy secured the upset win.

The Mustangs had seven hits to go along with five runs, while CMU scored two runs on seven hits.

Haley Cotter got the start for the Eagles, allowing three earned runs with three strikeouts in 6.2 innings.