The difference was defense as the Central College softball team overcame a sputtering offensive start and swept Buena Vista University 9-5 and 4-1 Thursday. The Dutch (17-10 overall, 15-8 American Rivers) not only played errorless ball but dazzled defensively at times. Held scoreless in the first four innings of the opener, Central jumped on a pair of Buena Vista errors to roll up six runs on just two hits in the fifth inning and added three runs in the sixth before holding off a late BV surge.
Senior Denae Howes entered as a pinch-runner in the fifth inning, stole second and scored but Central batted around and coach George Wares left her in the lineup to hit while still in the fifth. It was just the second at-bat of the season for Howes, but she roped a line drive just beyond the grasp of the Buena Vista shortstop for a two-run hit to highlight the frame, along with a well-placed two-run single by Dutch shortstop Daria Parchert who shortened up and punched a two-strike pitch through the right side.
The team’s leading hitter, freshman Franie Burnett continued to thrive while operating out of the clean-up spot in the lineup, with two hits and a walk as Central outhit Buena Vista 10-6. She shined defensively as well.
Starter Sydni Huisman had Buena Vista (15-19 overall, 7-15 conference) shut out through five innings but three Central relievers gave up five runs on four hits in the sixth and seventh before Huisman returned to record the final three outs. She threw 6.0 innings of two-hit shutout ball, walking three and striking out three.
Central was outhit 6-5 in the nightcap but made the most of three more Buena Vista errors. Schaben (5-3) scattered six hits over 6.0 innings, walking four and striking out four. Skylar Sadler rebounded from a rocky opening-game relief effort to retire the Beavers in order in the seventh inning and notch her second save.
Center fielder Sara Tallman walked and scored in the first, then delivered an RBI single in the third and scored in a three-run frame. She scored four runs on the day and was rock-solid defensively as well.
In what has been an unusually demanding year in so many ways, the Dutch have to navigate yet another schedule twist on Friday. A non-conference doubleheader with 25-7 Bethel University (Minn.), originally scheduled for Pella, had to be switched to St. Paul, Minnesota due to travel restrictions in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. So the Dutch make the quick turnaround for a 2 p.m. twinbill before returning home for the league finale with Buena Vista Sunday at 1 p.m.