Ravens Softball dropped a pair of games to one of the top teams in the country on Saturday.
The (20) Ravens lost 8-2 in game 1, and 2-1 in game 2, to the (3) Central Methodist University Eagles.
Game 1
Saturday's opener started with both pitchers throwing up scoreless frames before the Ravens scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Abby Pressgrove started the rally with a single and then scored on Baylee Knorr's double. After Knorr advanced to third on a groundout by Clare Heitz, Chloe Strickland's sacrifice bunt brought Knorr home to put the Ravens up 2-0.
The Eagles bats found an answer starting in the sixth inning. A double and home run knotted the game up at 2-2 and then CMU broke things open in the seventh inning to take control.
CMU's leadoff batter hit a leadoff homer to put them in front, 3-2, in the seventh inning. A couple hits, three walks and three Ravens errors helped the Eagles score 5 more to take an 8-2 lead and they held the Ravens scoreless in the bottom of the frame for the win.
Bailey Selvage gave up 5 runs, 4 earned, in her 6 innings of work in the circle, also striking out 6 batters. Lacey Foster pitched the final inning in relief.
Game 2
A tough start to the game wound up being the difference maker in the second game. A leadoff walk and two errors helped the Eagles score a pair of early runs. Lily SinghDhillon came on in relief of Kera Willoughby and worked out of a jam, getting two strikeouts and a ground out to keep hold CMU to 2 runs.
The Ravens were held scoreless until the fifth inning. Kassidy James doubled and scored on a base hit by Abby Pressgrove.
Still down 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, the Ravens threatened to tie or win the game. Rhiannon Martin singled to leadoff the inning, then Riley Kennedy pinch ran and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. James singled and stole second to put runners on second and third, but that was as close as the Ravens could get as the final two batters were retired.
SinghDhillon was spectacular in relief, allowing just 1 hit and 3 walks in 6 innings of work. Selvage pitched a scoreless seventh inning to finish out the game for the Ravens.
The Ravens knocked 7 hits in the second game but were held to 1 run in the loss.
Next up for the Ravens (36-12, 16-8 Heart) is the Heart Conference Tournament hosted by the Mount Mercy Mustangs. The Ravens will be the No. 3 seed in the tournament, and the Eagles earned the No. 1 seed with a perfect 24-0 conference record. The tournament will be May 2-5.
