With two wins Saturday against the University of Dubuque, the Central College softball team remains in the hunt to win the Iowa Conference championship.

In a twinbill heard live on 92.1 KRLS, the Dutch hung on to win the opener 7-6 in nine innings, then rolled to a 9-0 six-inning victory in the nightcap.

Central was seemingly in control in the first game, leading 4-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh. But the Spartans got a leadoff homer, and after two quick outs, they strung together three straight hits to tie the game.

The Dutch scored three runs in the top of the ninth to vault back ahead, but Dubuque again had an answer, scoring two runs and putting the tying run at second base. On a one-out flyball to right field, the Spartan runner tagged for third, but Shaye Witte threw a perfect strike for a game ending double play.

In game two, Central broke on top with three first inning runs, and Annie DeVries cruised through six shutout innings, allowing only four hits.

Freshman shortstop Daria Parchert was four-for-four in the second game, and had five hits on the day. Sophomore outfielder Sara Tallman of Pella stole two bases in each game, giving her 41 for the season, a new Central record.

The Dutch are now 26-8 on the season and 11-3 in league play. They’ll host Monmouth of Illinois in a non-conference doubleheader Monday, then head to Decorah Tuesday to take on Luther in the final league action of the season, with the Iowa Conference championship hanging in the balance.

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