Central comes out swinging in opening softball split
Central College
ROCHESTER, MINN. — Offense was chief among the preseason concerns in replacing seven graduated Central College softball team starters, but production was plentiful in a season-opening indoor split with No. 23-rated Bethel University (Minn.) Saturday morning.
Taking on the defending Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Conference champs, the No. 21 Dutch slugged their way to a 7-4 victory before tumbling 6-2 in a quirky predawn twinbill at the Rochester Dome. They had 14 hits on the day.
Central finished last year ranked No. 10 nationally after winning a Division III regional crown, but graduated 10 players, the largest senior class in the program’s history. Coach George Wares was encouraged by Saturday’s offensive display, but said the numbers were a bit skewed by the unusual environment. Pitchers threw from a turf circle instead of dirt and fences were less than regulation in spots.
“It was a combination of things,” Wares said. “The environment is different and the umpire’s strike zone was fairly hitter-friendly for both teams, but we also had some quality at-bats.”
Shortstop Paige Schreiner (senior, Ottumwa) and right fielder Sarah Bowen (junior, New Sharon, North Mahaska HS), two of the returning starters, showed some much-needed veteran leadership, Wares said. In the opener, Schreiner tripled and scored in the seventh inning while Bowen had two hits and scored a run.
“They were good on both offense and defense,” Wares said.
He also liked the effort of junior Abbie Voas (sophomore, Chanhassen, Minn.), who saw time at both third base and first base. She doubled home a run in the seventh inning of the opener. Meanwhile, Brooke Brommel (sophomore, St. Charles, I-35 HS) had a pinch-hit double in the opener and an RBI single as the designated player in the nightcap.
Among the many newcomers flashing promise was Sadie Baugher (freshman, Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont HS). She hit a triple in the fifth inning of the opener, scored two runs, drove in a pair and was on base four times for the day.
“She did a good job,” Wares said. “She batted leadoff for us and we moved her between second (base) and third. The question moving forward is whether we keep her at second.”
Senior pitcher Trisha Smith (New Hampton) notched the win in the opener. She threw 3.2 innings, yielding 3 hits and an unearned run while walking two and striking out five.
“Trish was pretty good,” Wares said.
Junior transfer Karly Olson (Winterset) suffered the loss in her Central debut. She gave up six runs on eight hits and seven walks with five strikeouts.
“There were some nerves and she struggled with the strike zone,” Wares said. “We also had a couple of big fielding blunders behind her. But she pitched fine, which is not something you would normally say in a 6-2 loss.”
Sophomore Annie DeVries (Eldridge, North Scott HS) saw relief duty in both games. She allowed eight hits and three runs in 4.1 innings, with one walk and no strikeouts.
The Dutch defense was predictably inconsistent, with three errors as well as some mental miscues.
“We were a couple of steps slow, not because we’re not athletic enough but we were not quite in sync,” Wares said.
It’s just the second time Central has competed indoors and, while Wares much prefers the outdoor game, it was good for such an inexperienced squad to get a taste of competition before heading on its spring-break trip, he said.
“I’m not a fan (of indoor games) but I’m glad we did it,” Wares said. “It does give us some ideas of things we need to work on in practice Monday through Wednesday, and when we have our outdoor practice Friday in Florida. I’m glad we played a team that when we made a mistake was good enough to capitalize on it. That helps us learn.”
Despite Central’s youth, the team’s expectations have not diminished.
“A lot of young teams would be pleased with the day,” Wares said. “But the players were very disappointed at the end, which I was glad to see.”
Central has a week to prepare for its outdoor openers, Rebel Games contests against first-ever opponents Westminster (Pa.) and Mitchell (Conn.) at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) next Saturday at Kissimmee, Fla. The Dutch play 10 games in five days in Florida, then journey to Columbus, Ga. for a minimum of five games in three days at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Staged on a rotating basis with other divisions, the 24-team NFCA field is comprised of teams most consistently featured in the Division III top 25 poll over the previous three years and able to participate.
Four of last year’s eight national finalists are in this season’s field, including runner-up Texas-Tyler, Linfield (Ore.), Kean (N.J.) and Alma (Mich.). Play in six four-team pools is staged with two games Friday and one game Saturday. The top team in each pool advances to the Gold Championship bracket, along with two at-large squads. Other teams are placed in the Silver or Bronze brackets, based on pool play results.
Bracket play is a single-elimination tourney with teams playing one game Saturday and either one or two games on Sunday.
