The Central College softball team survived day two of the NCAA tournament’s St. Paul Regional, advancing to championship Saturday.

With her career on the line, senior right-hander Annie DeVries pitched the best softball of her career, helping the Dutch to a 2-1 win over Northwestern, then a 2-0 win over Wisconsin-Oshkosh in a pair of games heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

With Central clinging to a one-run lead in the sixth inning of game one, DeVries was called upon to get out of a two-on one-out jam, and she shut the door on the Eagles for her second save of the season. Then against the Titans, DeVries allowed just one hit and one walk while twirling seven scoreless frames.

“It was just a fun game”, DeVries said. “We kind of talked before the games about going out and having fun again and not worrying about what’s going to happen afterwards. Really, it was defense. I’m not a big strikeout pitcher, and Tabitha (Taylor) made a huge catch at the end and everyone was really playing their game.”

Against Northwestern, Central got RBI singles from Emily Walton and Amanda Sigulas, then against Oshkosh, Taylor delivered a run-scoring single, and then scored herself on a triple and a throwing error.

The Dutch are now 29-11 on the season, and will play St. Thomas in the regional championship. The Dutch will have to beat the Tommies twice to win the tournament, while the hosts need just one win to advance. First pitch is at 12:00, and we’ll have full coverage beginning with pregame at 11:45 on 92.1 KRLS.