Late runs give Central Methodist victory
May 16, 2023
by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director
HENDERSON, Tenn. — The top-seeded Central Methodist (Mo.) University Eagles and the No. 4 seed University of St. Francis (Ill.) Saints got in half of an inning on Monday night before Mother Nature forced an early retreat and a Tuesday triple-header. After resuming play, the Eagled topped the Saints 2-1
Both teams were held scoreless in the first inning until St. Francis (32-10) tallied a one-out single down the first-base line off of the bat of Brittany Osbourne. After stealing second, Osbourne appeared to be tagged out at the plate after a single from Danielle Callahan, but obstruction was called to allow the Saints to draw first blood.
The Eagles (39-10) answered in turn with Madison Roberts knocking a two-out single in the bottom of the fourth. Montana Stangel would then blast a double to left field to plate Roberts for the tying run.
A scoreless fifth inning set up a pair of big hits from the middle of CMU's order. A double from Roberts was erased after she was thrown out on a fielder's choice that allowed Montana Stangel to reach first. From there, Kaysie Jolley smacked a double into right field deep enough to plate Stangel for the go-ahead run that the Eagles would not relinquish.
Jordyn Ball (18-3) earned the victory in the complete-game where she struck out seven Saints. Meanwhile, Hannah Vachon (15-3) was charged with the loss despite striking out four.
Madison Roberts had the big bat for the Eagles, going 3-3 and scoring one run. Montana Stangle and Kaysie Jolly each drove in a run.
Brittany Osbourne led the USF offense by going 3-4.