CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The six-seed Raven Softball team held three-seed (RV) Central Methodist University scoreless through four innings on Wednesday in the first round of the Heart Softball Championship Series before the Eagles scored 12 runs over the fifth and sixth innings en route to a 12-6.

Benedictine (26-25) rallied to regain the lead in their half of the sixth before CMU (31-16) took control for a 12-6 win.

Erin Ziebarth earned the start and was responsible for holding the Eagles in check into the fifth inning before she was relieved by Alex Gilham. The Eagles took their first lead off Gilham before Ziebarth returned to the game in the sixth where she gave up the go-ahead run to suffer the loss.

Offensively, the Ravens recorded nine hits to score their six runs. Tiffani Ray led the Ravens at the plate as she went 3 for 4 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a double. Blair Shanks added a 2-for-4 effort as she recorded a double, home run and two RBIs with two runs scored. Molly Chevalier added a double to finish with two hits and an RBI.

The Ravens will now take on MNU at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the first round of the consolation bracket to remain alive in the Championship Series. The Ravens and the Pioneers have matched up four times this season, Benedictine earned a sweep at home while MNU earned a sweep in Olathe.