Loras edges Central in softball doubleheader
DUBUQUE- The Central College softball squad lost two tight games against Loras College Saturday afternoon.
The Dutch lost the first game 6-5 followed by a 3-2 walk off loss in game two.
In the first inning of the opening game shortstop Haley Bach (senior, Council Bluffs, Lewis Central HS) hit a triple which was followed by a Larissa Miller (sophomore, Ankeny) RBI single. Bach was not retired as she went 2-2 with a walk before leaving with an injury. With the walk she has now drawn 93 in her career which is tied for the career record.
The Dutch also got two hit games from catcher Rylee Dunkin (sophomore, Hamilton, Twin Ceders HS) and left fielder Emma Jensen (senior, Earlham). Jensen had an RBI single in the second inning and Dunkin had a two-RBI double in the fifth inning to extend the Dutch lead to 4-1.
Loras hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning as well as a go-ahead solo home run in the sixth inning.
Pitcher Emma Beck (junior, Holland, Grundy Center HS) threw her 10th complete game of the season pitching six innings allowing five runs on seven hits with six strikeouts.
“We had a chance to win both games,” said coach George Wares. “We got a huge hit from Rylee and Beck pitched well despite the long balls.”
In the second game, the Dutch were held to five hits and two walks. Mariah Parton (junior, Ankeny) and designated player Alexa Anderson (senior, Mount Ayr) both had two hits and RBI. Anderson hit her second home run of the season and Parton hit a double in the top of the seventh inning to score center fielder Carley Underwood (sophomore, Mitchellville, Colfax-Mingo HS) to tie the game.
Loras hot a walk off single with one out in the bottom of the inning.
Pitcher Jadyn Huisman (freshman, Treynor) threw her third complete game of the season pitching 6.1 innings allowing two earned runs on eight hits while striking out two hitters.
“Jadyn pitched well for us today,” Wares said.
The Dutch will finish the regular season this week with six games starting when they host the American Rivers Conference-leading Nebraska Wesleyan University Tuesday with a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
