Center fielder Emma Johnson was one of three Central College softball players to be selected to the American Rivers all-conference team.

Johnson was a first-team selection while right fielder Franie Burnett and designated player Lauren Birt were second-team honorees. In addition, left fielder Megan Doty received honorable mention.

Johnson was the league’s top hitter for the season with a .463 batting average and ranked second in 16 conference games at 462. She had 57 hits in 39 games with a .504 on-base percentage, 28 runs scored, 16 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Also the team’s top defensive player, Johnson had a perfect fielding percentage.

Burnett ranked second in the league for the overall season with a .427 batting average. She recorded 47 hits, 31 runs, 25 RBIs, and 24 steals on the season. Birt, who also played five games at second base, batted .351 with 33 hits, 27 runs, 13 RBIs and 17 steals. Doty hit .319 with 30 hits, including a team-high eight doubles, with 21 runs scored, 29 RBIs and 11 steals.

The young Dutch squad finished the season with a 21-17 record. Birt was the lone senior in the Dutch starting lineup, so Central will return a veteran squad for 2023.