Having won 26 straight games and sweeping 13 straight doubleheaders, it would seem the only thing capable of stopping the CMU Eagles softball team is the weather. 

On the verge of breaking a 15-year old Central record of 27 straight wins, Central was prepared to take on the Vikings of Missouri Valley on Friday, but the rains came and spoiled the plans of the Eagles.

Many considered that a good thing, however, as it would allow the Eagles to break the record at home on Saturday in a two-game set against Evangel on senior day. Heavy overnight rains spoiled the chances of this happening as that twin bill was canceled as well. 

With the 2022 Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship Tournament looming in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on May 5-8, CMU Sports Information Director Rachel Moore stated she did not think they would reschedule. “Softball is always a roller coaster, especially with the crazy weather,” she said. Heart conference rules state that all regular-season games must be started by Monday night at midnight prior to the conference tournament, making it next to impossible to reschedule either of the doubleheaders. 

Not rescheduling the games missed due to weather still leaves the Eagles sitting high atop the Heart South division standings with an overall record of 35-4 and a conference record of 27-1. The second-place team, Evangel, Saturday’s scheduled opponent, holds a 24-16-1 overall record, while sitting at 19-11 in the conference.

At this point, Central leads the entire conference as the leader in the North Division. Grand View is 39-5 overall, while holding a 28-2 conference record. Central is responsible for both of Grand View’s losses back on April 2 when CMU defeated the Vikings 3-0 and 8-0. The Eagles hold a .964 to .933 winning percentage edge over the Vikings.

The Eagles were able to play last Tuesday traveling to Olathe, Kansas to take on MidAmerica Nazarene. CMU was able to sweep that doubleheader by scores of 3-0 and 2-0.

In the first game, Senior Keighlan Cronin went the distance in the circle striking out seven and giving up seven hits for the win. That took Cronin’s season record to 17-1 on the year.

The two teams battled to a draw until Central was able to score first in the top of the fifth. With one out, senior Madison Love doubled to left field. Freshman Daly Garland drove Love home with a single to left to give Central a 1-0 lead.

The score remained 1-0 until the top of the seventh when sophomore Kelena Oots reached on a fielder’s choice which forced junior Katelyn Kiser out at second for the second out of the inning. With Oots on first, sophomore Madison White homered to center giving Central a 3-0 lead.

MidAmerica Nazarene managed two singles in the bottom of the frame, but were unable to capitalize on either before Central registered three outs to secure the 3-0 win.

Oots, senior Kelli Gorman, Garland, junior Kaylee Parker, and Kiser each notched singles for the Eagles. 

Sophomore Micaela Harcrow and Love each garnered doubles, while White collected the two-run homer.

In the second game, CMU was able to scratch out a run in the second and a run in the third to eke out a 2-0 victory and extend the winning streak to 26.

Freshman Mykala Johnico notched her 14th win in 14 starts, striking out six and giving up seven hits.

CMU drew first blood in the second inning with two outs. Love singled to right and advanced to second when Garland singled to center. Freshman Lauren Hill walked to load the bases. Katelyn Kiser was hit by a pitch forcing Love home to give Central a 1-0 lead before Hill was forced out at third to end the inning.

The second run for CMU was added in the third inning when Madison White reached first on an error by the MidAmerica second baseman. Micaela Harcrow then doubled to drive in White, with Harcrow advancing to third on an error by the left fielder. White’s run gave Central a 2-0 lead which stood throughout the rest of the game.

Up next for Central will be a trip to Cedar Rapids for the Heart Conference Tournament beginning Thursday. CMU will boast the best winning percentage in the conference and draw the No.1 seed in the eight-team tournament.

Central will go into the tournament having scored 276 runs in 39 games. The Eagles also sport a .365 batting average, and this year have scored 276 runs on 403 hits.

The lion’s share of the pitching has been divided between Cronin and Johnico, with the two throwing 213 of the 248 innings pitched. The two have been a coach’s dream with Johnico sporting a 0.86 earned run average to go along with Cronin’s 1.19. Cronin has struck out 167 batters, averaging 9.43 per game. Johnico averaged 10.70 with 137 strikeouts.

On the Offensive side, Madison White leads the Eagles with a .450 batting average and a .925 slugging percentage. White also paces the team in hits, doubles, and home runs as well as RBI.