Wild pitch gets Central top-10 softball win after setback
Central College
PELLA — Clawing its way back from an early 2-0 deficit, the No. 20 Central College softball team used a walk-off wild pitch for a dramatic 4-3 victory over No. 6 Washington-St. Louis (Mo.), rebounding from a 9-2 thrashing in the opener.
Showing the effects of an unusual 20-day layoff the Dutch (13-7) gave an uneven defensive effort in the first game of their Central Invitational, finding themselves down 6-0 heading into the bottom of the second inning.
Consequently, coach George Wares was gratified that his young club found a way to rally after falling behind in the second inning of the nightcap as well. The Dutch put up three unearned runs on just one hit in the bottom of the frame, as the teams battled brutal 35 mph northwest winds.
“It could have gone further the other way for us,” he said. “We’ve been trying to convince the players that we are a good softball team and they need to believe in themselves. There are moments when you think it’s starting to click, but it’s a process. So I was very happy to get that second one. Hopefully that will allow the players to establish a little more of that belief in themselves.”
Washington (21-7) tied the game 3-3 with a home run to left field into the teeth of the wind, which calmed to about 20 mph by then.
But in the bottom of the seventh, following a leadoff walk to second baseman Paige Dickel (sophomore, Norwalk), right fielder Sarah Bowen (junior, New Sharon, North Mahaska HS) punched a hit to deep shortstop with the corners drawn in. Washington then brought in pitching ace Annie Pitkin, the game one winner. But after failing to get a bunt down on the first two pitches, designated player Sadie Baugher (freshman, Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont HS) slapped a single to right to load the bases.
“Sadie did a nice job,” Wares said. “We gambled a little with a slap-and-run and she executed it well.”
Pitkin then airmailed the first pitch to pinch-hitter Kylie Olson (freshman, Mapleton, Minn., Maple River HS) and Dickel scampered home with the game-winner. It wasn’t a home run blast but the result was the same, Wares said.
“We were more than happy to win it like that,” he said.
Pitcher Karly Olson (junior, Winterset), who absorbed the game one loss, came back with a solid seven innings to even her mark at 7-7. She allowed three runs on three hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
“Karly gave us a solid effort,” Wares said.
Olson only face four hitters in the opener, but was tagged for three runs on two hits amid some defensive miscues.
“She wasn’t that bad,” Wares said. “It was a combination of things. We just didn’t play very well. We gave up too many extra outs.”
Annie De Vries (sophomore, Eldridge, North Scott HS) and Trisha Smith (senior, New Hampton) each threw three innings and freshman Audria Wagenknecht (freshman, Aurora, Ill., Waubonsie Valley HS) pitched a scoreless seventh inning.
Central was outhit 13-10 and stranded 10 baserunners. First baseman Abbie Voas (junior, Chanhassen, Minn.) had a pair of doubles and catcher Emily Walton (sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Jefferson HS) also had two hits in her return from an injury suffered early on the team’s spring break trip to Florida.
“Emily bounced back from the injury,” Wares said. “She was solid behind the plate as well.”
Walton and Voas each had a hit in the second game for three-hit days.
“Abbie Voas had a really good day,” Wares said. “Her approach at the plate was very good.”
Central outhit the Bears, 7-5.
The Dutch come back Sunday with a 1 p.m. twinbill against perennial NCAA Division III tourney contender Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.). The Gusties (9-5) defeated Dubuque 6-4 and Buena Vista 7-3 in Central Invitational games played at Oskaloosa Saturday. Wares concedes he gave the young Dutch a demanding non-conference slate with four challenging home games following the team’s appearance at the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. March 11-13.
“We told the players afterwards, it’s not like anybody’s going to feel sorry for us,” he said. “Some coach put together a pretty difficult schedule. Now we just have to keep battling.”
And Wares says through the ups and downs of the first month of the season, his young squad continues to show plenty of fight.
“Our practices have been pretty good,” he said. “Youth just has to grow up.”
A video webcast and live stats of Central’s Sunday games will be available through the Dutch athletics website at www.central.edu/athletics.
