COLUMBUS, Ga. - [Bracket | Schedule | Watch] Central Methodist (Mo.) extends its stay at the 2025 NAIA Softball World Series after an 11-3 victory over Midland (Neb.) in six innings at South Commons. CMU improves to 42-10, and will play the loser of game eight on Saturday at 1 p.m., while MID concludes its season with an overall record of 40-18.

The game unfolded with the Eagles taking an early lead in the first inning, thanks to Kaysie Jolley's sacrifice fly that brought Joely Crider home. The Warriors responded in the fourth inning with Alexis Shepherd's two-RBI single, which briefly put them ahead. However, CMU quickly regained control in the same inning, capitalizing on a fielding error and a sacrifice fly to pull ahead 3-2.

Midland managed to level the score at 3-3 in the fifth inning with Isabelle Pagan drawing a bases-loaded walk. Yet, Central Methodist's offense erupted in the bottom of the fifth. Kaysie Jolley delivered a crucial three-RBI triple, followed by a sacrifice fly from Daly Garland, extending their lead to 7-3.

The sixth inning saw the Eagles seal their victory with a two-run homer from Elizabeth Palumbo and additional runs scored off a fielding error, bringing the final score to 11-3. Palumbo and Jolley were standout performers, with Palumbo hitting a home run and Jolley contributing four RBIs, including a triple.

Pitching for Central Methodist, Veronica Dearth secured the win with a solid two-inning performance, allowing no hits or runs and striking out two. Haley Cotter also contributed four innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. In contrast, Midland's pitchers struggled to contain Central Methodist's potent lineup, with Paeton Coler and Mackenzie Groninga combining to allow 11 runs. The game was marked by strategic base running and timely hitting from CMU, alongside a few critical fielding errors from MID that proved costly.