Last week the CMU softball program broke into the Top-10 in the NAIA Softball Coaches Poll, finding themselves at No. 9. On Saturday the Eagles found a way to top that news with a doubleheader sweep of conference rival Benedictine, 5-4 and 7-6. The sweep bumped the Eagles’ season record to 29-4 and their conference record to 21-1. The two wins pushed Central’s win streak to 20 having swept 10-straight doubleheaders with its last loss coming against Baker on March 13.

CMU-5

Benedictine-4

While the win in the first game marked the 28th win of the season for the Eagles, the big news came in the top of the second inning of the first game when senior hurler Keighlan Cronin struck out Benedictine third baseman to record her 560th career strikeout. That breaks the previous record held by Aubrey Utley, who pitched for the Eagles from 2011-14.

Despite Cronin’s record-breaking performance, the win did not come easily. Benedictine jumped out to a two-run lead in the first inning. Central came right back in the bottom of the first when sophomore Kelena Oots led off with a single and classmate Madison White homered to left, tying the game 2-2.

CMU gained the lead in the bottom of the third when senior Kelli Gorman led off with a single to center then advanced to second on classmate Madison Love’s single to left. Gorman then advanced to third on a fielder’s choice before junior Kaylee Parker drove her home on a single past second to make the score 3-2.

Central added two runs in the bottom of the fourth when White drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on a single to left by sophomore Micaela Harcrow. The next batter, Gorman, reached base on a fielder’s choice, earning an RBI by driving in White. Freshman Mikayla Pennell then singled to right, allowing Gorman to score. Giving Central the 5-2 lead heading into the fifth.

Benedictine fought back in the top of the sixth with two more runs to make the score 5-4 in favor of the Eagles. 

The Eagles held on in the top of the seventh to win 5-4.

CMU-7

Benedictine-6

The second game was another nail-biter for the Eagles, as they gave up four runs in the top of the seventh before holding on for the 7-6 win.

Benedictine again, jumped out to an early lead, scoring in the top of the first off a wild pitch to lead 1-0.

Central was not able to respond until the bottom of the second when a two-run homer by freshman Daly Garland gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead.

In the third, the long ball was again the friend of the Eagles as Madison White homered to center field to put CMU up 3-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, CMU erupted for four runs starting when freshman catcher Lauren Hill reached on an error. After a popup gave CMU an out, Oots laid down a sacrifice bunt. Oots landed safely on first thanks to an error by the Benedictine pitcher and advanced to second when the ball went into right field with Hill moving to third. White then walked to load the bases. Sophomore Micaela Harcrow then singled to center driving in Hill and Oots and moving White to third. 

The next batter, Kelli Gorman, forced Harcrow into an out at second on a fielder’s choice then advanced to second on a throwing error by the shortstop. The action allowed White to sprint home to make the score 6-1. Pennell, then singled to center to drive in Gorman, giving Central the 7-1 lead.

Benedictine started to chip away at the lead in the top of the fifth by adding a run on a home run to center.

Both teams were scoreless in the sixth, but Benedictine made a serious run in the seventh when cleanup hitter Madison Zaccardo blasted a three-run home run to center. 

With the score 7-5, CMU coach Pat Reardon then brought sophomore Abbie Nealy to the circle in relief of freshman starter Mykala Johnico. Up to then she had pitched six innings and given up an uncharacteristic 10 hits, two of which were home runs.

Nealy gave up a walk before Reardon called on Cronin for the save opportunity. Cronin gave up two singles, then induced Ingui to pop out to third. She then gave up a sacrifice fly to make the score 7-6 before Benedictine catcher Megan Medhus flied out to left to end the game.

Designated player Mikayla Pennell paced the CMU offense with a 3-for-3 game and drove in a run. Center fielder Kelena Oots had a double in three at-bats. Shortstop Madison White continued to hit the ball with authority, making a bid for her second straight Heart Player of the Week award, with a home run in three at-bats.

Second baseman Daly Garland added a home run and two RBI. Micaela Harcrow added two RBI on one hit

Johnico got her 11th win on the mound while Cronin picked up the save.