COLUMBIA - Central Methodist had 11 hits and drew 11 walks as the second-seeded Eagles cruised to 12-2 win in five innings against No. 3 Columbia in the Columbia Bracket in the opening round of the NAIA Softball National Championship on Monday.
Marli Hayes (Jefferson City High School) connected with an RBI double and came around to score on a throwing error to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.
That's all the offense Columbia, which tallied four hits, would string together.
Taylor Richter (Blair Oaks High School) started and took the loss for Columbia, giving up three earned runs on two hits and five walks in 11/3 innings. She struck out one.
Tiffany Urwiler (School of the Osage High School) was the third of five pitchers for the Cougars, giving up three earned runs on three hits and one walk in two-thirds of an inning. Paxton Welch (Helias High School) pitched the final 11/3 innings, giving up three earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts.
The Cougars (30-17) will play at 1:30 p.m. today in an elimination game against Morningside, Iowa (30-13).
Central Methodist (42-6) will play in a winner's bracket game at 11 a.m. today.