Central Notches Two More Softball Wins in the Desert

Putting the wraps on a 7-1 week in the desert, the No. 22 Central College softball team had a productive day at the plate in posting two more wins Friday, 7-1 over Dickinson College (Pa.) and 7-4 over Salve Regina University (R.I.).

First baseman Megan Stuhr had four hits on the day, including a 3-for-4 effort against Salve Regina as the Dutch compiled 21 hits overall. Meanwhile, Hannah Higgins had four hits along with a walk and a sacrifice while knocking in four runs Friday.

Pitcher Chloe Dougherty picked up her first win of the season in relief of Sydni Huisman against Dickinson in the opener. She threw the final 5.0 innings, allowing only an unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out two. Emma Beck got the victory over Salve Regina, limiting the Seahawks to a run on seven hits. She was relieved by Morgan Schaben but re-entered the game to record the final two outs in the seventh inning and improve to 4-3.

After three out-of-state trips, the Dutch have four home doubleheaders, starting with their Pella debut on Wednesday. Central hosts St. Olaf for a non-conference doubleheader at 2 p.m. at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex field.

Central Drops a Pair to End Florida Baseball Trip

The Central College baseball team ran into a strong pitching staff from Beloit College Friday, as they were swept 11-2 and 7-2 to wrap up their spring break trip in Florida.

The Dutch (4-9) offense was limited to just four runs on 12 hits over 14 innings against the Bucs. Beloit’s offense strung together a few big innings, totaling 18 runs on 24 hits. Entering as a pinch hitter in the fourth inning, freshman third baseman Garrett Guenther led the Dutch offense in game two with a solo home run, a double and a stolen base. Making his first appearances in Florida, shortstop Dylan Williams was 2-for-3 with a double in game two and also had a double in the opener.

Game one’s starting pitcher Declan O’Hare was also the only Dutch batter with multiple hits and also had an RBI sacrifice fly. As a pitcher, he yielded six earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts in 4.0 innings. Mark Kenney took the loss on the mound in game two, going 4.2 innings as the starter. He struck out five, but walked one and gave up five hits for five earned runs.

Central makes its home debut next Saturday with a doubleheader against Hamline University (Minn.) at 1 pm and the twinbill can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

Both Dutch Men’s Wrestlers Bow Out of National Meet

Competing at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships Friday, both entries from the Central College men’s wrestling team were defeated twice and eliminated from contention.

Making his first appearance at the national meet, sophomore Pierre Baldwin had a first round match against two-time All-American James Rodriguez of Vermont State University – Castleton which he lost 4-1. He rallied in his consolation match with a 15-3 major decision against Xavier Pena of Centenary University (N.J.), but was eliminated in a 3-2 overtime loss to No. 3 Kyler Romero of Wartburg. Senior Gage Linahon opened with an 8-5 loss by decision against Darby McLaughlin of Castleton. In his consolation match against Demond Harrison of Albion College (Mich.), Linahon took a 5-4 lead with an escape two seconds into the third period but was taken down twice to ultimately fall 10-8.

Central’s official team standing will be finalized tonight after the finals but they are one of only 53 Division III programs across the country to score any team points.