Central Erupts for 10 Runs After First-Game Softball Stumble

The runs that eluded the Central College softball team in a first-game stumble Wednesday came quickly in the nightcap in an American Rivers Conference doubleheader split with Nebraska Wesleyan University. After stranding 10 runners in a frustrating 4-3 setback, the No. 21-ranked Dutch (23-5 overall, 4-2 conference) put up four first-inning runs en route to a 10-2, six-inning runaway in the second game.

Nebraska Wesleyan landed the first blow, with back-to-back run-scoring doubles in the top of the first inning, followed by a home run in the third inning. Central scratched out three runs to tie it in the fifth inning as third baseman Franie Burnett had an RBI triple and first baseman Megan Stuhr shortened up to punch a two-strike pitch to right field, bringing home another run. But the tie lasted only one pitch into the sixth inning as Nebraska Wesleyan belted its second homer for the decisive tally. Central left a pair of runners on base in the seventh. Sydni Huisman gave up four runs on five hits in five innings with two walks and three strikeouts in dropping to 12-3. Central was outhit 7-6.

Central broke it open early in game two, adding three runs in the fourth inning and ending it with three in the sixth. Bach and left fielder Emma Jensen each had two hits and two runs scored. Freshman Emma Beck yielded two runs on five hits in five innings with a walk and six strikeouts. Morgan Schaben, who pitched two innings of scoreless, two-hit relief in the opener, threw a shutout sixth inning in the second game.

On-base percentage monster Haley Bach reached safely seven times in eight plate appearances for the day, getting hit by a pitch in addition to producing three hits and three walks. Bach, who has also sparkled defensively at second base, is hitting a steamy .482 with a .604 on-base percentage. The season on-base percentage record is .600, set by all-American Jenny Semler in 1993. Bach has scored 40 runs in 28 games.

After the weather foiled attempts to play a conference doubleheader with the University of Dubuque last Saturday and Sunday, the teams will try again Sunday at 1 p.m. at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex softball field.

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Central Rolls to Men’s Tennis Win at Buena Vista

For the first time in two months, the Central College men’s tennis team is back over .500 after sweeping Buena Vista University 9-0 Wednesday.

Central (10-9, 5-1 American Rivers Conference) won its first match of the season and had not had a winning record since until defeating Buena Vista. The Dutch were dominant in doubles, starting with an 8-1 throttling at No. 1 by Nick Scott and Caleb Hamerlinck. Matthew Den Adel and Trey Melvin added an 8-3 win at No. 2 doubles and Central received a point by forfeit at No. 3 doubles.

The run continued in singles as Melvin won 6-2, 6-3 at No. 1, Scott won 6-3, 6-0 at No. 2 and AJ Wilkins won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3. Hamerlinck triumphed 6-3, 6-1 at No. 4 and Ayden Fletcher went 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5, and the Beavers forfeited No. 6.

Central hosts Coe College Saturday at 10 a.m. and Wartburg College at 2 p.m. With two wins, the Dutch would finish second in the league standings and advance directly to the conference semifinals next week.