Comeback! Central Rallies Three Times for 10-Inning Georgia Softball Win

Down three runs in the eighth inning, two in the ninth and one in the 10th, the #21-ranked Central College softball team (3-0) pulled out a 10-9, 10-inning walk-off victory over DePauw University (Ind.) in their opening game of the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic Thursday.

It was a two-out 10th-inning double rocketed to right-center field by freshman catcher Rylee Dunkin that brought home first baseman Megan Stuhr for the game-winner. Down 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth, Franie Burnett was hit by a pitch, stole her second base of the evening, and scored on a single by Stuhr to tie the game. DePauw recaptured the lead 6-3 in the top of the eighth, but shortstop Carson Fisk’s run scoring single and Burnett’s two-run single forced an unlikely 6-6 tie.

The Tigers tacked on another two runs in the ninth to go back ahead 8-6, but the Dutch again came through in the clutch to tie the game at 8-8. A single tally in the 10th gave DePauw its final advantage at 9-8, but Dunkin’s game-winning double ended the 3 hour and 15 minute marathon.

Central is back in action today against Roanoke College (Va.) at 6 pm, and the game can be heard live on the KRLS3 stream at KNIAKRLS.com.

Seven Central Men Advance to Day Two of Regional Wrestling Meet

At the halfway point of the NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Regional, the Central College men’s wrestling team is in eighth place and seven individual wrestlers have secured a top-eight finish.

The Lower Midwest Regional features athletes from 20 schools across Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas, Texas and Alabama. The Dutch have 65.5 points to slot in eighth, with plenty of points still up for grabs. 

Ripping through three bonus-point victories, Pierre Baldwin was the first Dutch wrestler through to the semifinals at 141 pounds. He had a technical fall in his first match, then pinned his second opponent in 48 seconds, before putting together a 12-2 major decision to advance. After starting with a first-period fall against Sam Weaver of Nebraska Wesleyan, Gage Linahon joined Baldwin by beating Jacob Steenhoek of Luther College for the third time this season in an 11-2 major decision.

David Vukobratovich jump started the Dutch in the fourth round of consolations with a fall at 4:48. Four other Dutch wrestlers won in that round which wrapped up Thursday’s action. Brock Beck, Cael Cox, Austin Roos and Sam West also won at least two matches and are three wins away from a spot at the national meet.

The second day of action starts at 10 a.m. today with the regional semifinals and consolation third round matches. Placement matches are set to start at 1:30 p.m.