Bolivar, Mo. - The Bearcats used a strong fourth inning on Tuesday afternoon to take down the #20 NAIA team in the nation, Central Methodist, 10-2 after dropping the first contest 0-5. Rhiannon Mendez led the offense attack for SBU while the Bearcats run ruled the Eagles.

After losing the first game 5-0, the Bearcats came ready to play in game two. SBU was the first to get on the scoreboard, when Alexa Harvey brought home Rhiannon Mendez to put SBU up 1-0 after two innings. Central Methodist would score a run in each of the next two innings to take a 2-1 lead before the Bearcats exploded for 9 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Mendez led off the inning with a strong double to center field, stole third, and then came home on a Addie Murders rbi single to left field. The Bearcats would take advantage of multiple Eagle's errors, scoring two runs off of Central Methodist miscues. With runners on second and third, Devon McNeal singled to right field, putting SBU up 6-2. After another Central Methodist error, Stacie Davis would single to center field, bringing home McNeal to put SBU up 7-2. Mendez would cap off the excellent inning for the Bearcats by blasting a three-run homerun off of the top of the scoreboard, giving SBU a 10-2 lead, and causing the run rule to end the game after five innings.

Alex Abernathy was excellent from the circle for the Bearcats in game two, pitching a complete game, allowing only five hits and striking out four batters in the win.

The Bearcats will open up MIAA play on Friday, March 9 when #14 Missouri Western visits the Bearcats. Opening pitch of game one of the double-header is set for 1:00 p.m. from the SBU Softball Field in Bolivar.