Central’s Dunkin and Bach chosen for softball all-America squad
PELLA- For the first time since 2015, the Central College softball team had two players selected to the NFCA Division III Softball All-America squad Wednesday evening.
Catcher Rylee Dunkin (sophomore, Hamilton, Twin Cedars HS) landed on the second team while shortstop Haley Bach (senior, Council Bluffs, Lewis Central HS) was placed on the third team.
Bach is a repeat selection from last season while Dunkin becomes the 27th Central player to receive softball All-American distinction. Both Dunkin and Bach were also first team All-Region IX and American Rivers All-Conference choices.
Dunkin hit .367 as the team’s primary catcher. She led the Dutch with 30 stolen bases while scoring 33 runs and driving in 18.
Bach had a team-high .443 batting average and scored 38 runs. She made just three errors in 133 chances in the field.
The duo helped Central post a 26-13 record, while making a record 33rd NCAA Division III Championships appearance. They were joined on the All-American list by three other American Rivers Conference players: Simpson College’s first baseman Megan Heidelbauer was on the second team, Simpson outfielder Ashlyn Steen was on the third team and Wartburg College’s outfielder Sydney Fellows was a third-team pick.
The all-America awards were announced at the national tournament banquet in Bloomington, Illinois, where the eight-team NCAA Division III finals kick off Thursday.
