The No. 7 Central Methodist Softball program opened the season with a perfect weekend of four straight wins at the Branson Bash Classic in Branson.

The Lady Eagles eased past Ecclesia 11-3 in five innings in their season debut on Friday and took down Sterling 9-7 in the nightcap. On Saturday, Central won a 13-4 decision over Olivet Nazarene in five innings before edging Bellevue University 3-2 in the finale.

The Eagles walked 12 times and produced 11 runs on six hits in the short opener against Ecclesia. Joely Crider doubled, and Madison Roberts homered to lead the CMU hitting.

Cassidy Brent earned her first win from the pitching circle, allowing three runs on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts in 3.1 innings. Khloe Perkins mopped up, allowing one hit with one strikeout in the final 1.2 frames.

Central produces nine runs on 13 hits against Sterling in Friday’s second game. Roberts had another home run and added a double. Isabella Proctor delivered a double and a triple. Kaysie Jolley added two home runs, followed by Maddie Holly with one dinger.

The Central pitchers combined to surrender 17 hits, but the defense helped to strand 10 Sterling runners on base. Haley Cotter picked up her first win, allowing one run on 10 hits with a pair of strikeouts in a four-inning start. Veronica Dearth earned the save after giving up six runs on seven hits with two strikeouts.

Another five-inning game gave Central an easy win to open the second day of action. The Eagle bats drove in 13 runs on 12 hits, led by Elizabeth Palumbo with two home runs and two doubles in a 4-for-4 performance that drove in a game-high six runs.

CMU starter Khloe Perkins struggled from the pitching circle, surrendering four runs (3 earned) on eight hits. Dearth earned the win, pitching 3.2 shutout innings during which she allowed two hits and issued a walk.

Central finished on the upside of another close game to end the weekend with a perfect 4-0 record. The Eagles left nine runners on base but produced three runs on 14 hits to win 3-2 over Bellevue (Neb.).

The Lady Bruins also stranded nearly a whole lineup’s worth of players, leaving eight runners on base after scoring just two runs on nine hits.

CMU’s Haley Cotter earned her second win in as many starts, allowing both Bellevue runs on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts in five innings. Cassidy Brent picked up her first save of the season after striking out one batter in two innings without surrendering a run.

Central embarks on a six-game road trip on Thursday with a doubleheader against Saint Mary beginning at 1 p.m. The Eagles open their home campaign on March 1 and 2 against Columbia College and Stephens College, respectively.