The Central College softball team earned its first victory of 2022 with a split on day two of the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia.

The Dutch started the day with an 11-2 victory in six innings over Manhattanville (NY), then saw a seventh inning rally fall short in a 7-5 loss to Salisbury (MD). Both games were heard live on 92.1 KRLS and www.kniakrls.com.

In the opener, Central fell behind 2-0 in the first inning before erupting for eight fourth inning runs. That run support was enough for freshman pitcher Chloe Dougherty to earn her first collegiate victory. Haley Bach tied a school record with four walks and the Dutch stole six bases in the contest.

In the nightcap, the Dutch jumped out to a 3-0 lead by scoring three runs without a hit in the first inning, including a steal of home by Frannie Burnett. Salisbury tied the game in the second, took the lead in the sixth and added insurance in the seventh before Central rallied. They scored two runs and had the bases loaded with one out, but Burnett and Madison Farrington struck out back-to-back to end the game.

Central is 1-3 on the season and wraps up play in Columbus with two games today against defending national champion Virginia Wesleyan and Emory (GA) at 12:30 and 2:30 Iowa time.