Central softball bats overwhelm Loras
Central College
PELLA — Central College unleashed a 27-hit attack to sweep Loras College, 8-3 and 11-3 in 5 innings Saturday, remaining perfect in Iowa Conference softball action.
The Dutch (18-8 overall, 4-0 conference) got five-hit days from left fielder Tabitha Taylor (sophomore, Grimes, Dallas Center HS) and catcher Kylie Olson (freshman, Mapleton, Minn., Maple River HS). Taylor had three doubles and scored four runs and Olson drove in four.
“Tabitha is playing really well right now,” coach George Wares said. “She had kind of a slow start but her confidence is up there right now. She’s also playing good defense. She’s making a lot of really good plays.”
Olson filled in for starting catcher Emily Walton (sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Jefferson HS), who has been slowed by injury.
“Kylie’s been swinging it pretty well for us the last few games,” Wares said.
Pitcher Karly Olson (junior, Winterset) picked up two wins to improve to 12-8, but got relief help in both contests. She threw a combined seven innings, surrendering two unearned runs and eight hits while walking three and striking out seven.
Annie DeVries (sophomore, Eldridge, North Scott HS) picked up her first save in the opener, allowing a run on two hits in three innings with no walks and a strikeout. She also threw the final inning of the nightcap, giving up a run on one hit and a walk. Trisha Smith (senior, New Hampton) also threw an inning, allowing a run on four hits with no walks and a strikeout.
“I thought all three pitchers threw pretty well,” Wares said. “We had a few letdowns behind them defensively.”
Olson threw 14 innings of Central’s doubleheader sweep of Simpson College Tuesday, so Wares was eager to reduce her workload Saturday.
“That was the plan,” he said. “The big reason we started her both games was so that if we took her out, we could bring her back in later if we needed her. She’ll probably start most of our games so we have that option.”
Central scored two runs in the first inning of the opener and never trailed, extending the lead to 6-0 after three frames. The Dutch scored in every inning of the nightcap, stretching the advantage to 8-0 after three innings. While the young squad lacks the offensive firepower of last year’s regional champions, Central is making strides at the plate, Wares said.
“I think this shows how good some of the pitching we’ve seen has been,” he said. “That’s helped prepare us. We’re starting to get in a bit of good rhythm.”
Right fielder Sarah Bowen (junior, New Sharon, North Mahaska HS) and designated player Sadie Baugher (freshman, Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont HS) each had four hits. Baugher drove in three runs.
Wares also cited third baseman Lauren Bagby (freshman, Norwalk), who has started the last nine games defensively but has had limited at-bats. She had two hits and knocked in two runs in Saturday’s second game.
“Lauren’s really been improving,” Wares said. “Even when she wasn’t starting early in the year, she kept working and doing what she needed to do.”
Central makes its league road debut Wednesday, traveling to Storm Lake for a 3 p.m. doubleheader with Buena Vista University (15-10 overall, 2-0 conference). The Dutch will also be on the road Saturday at the University of Dubuque. Buena Vista swept Wartburg College Saturday at Waverly, 4-2 and 14-1. Wares notes the Beavers nearly pulled off non-conference upsets of NCAA Division III tourney contenders Washington-St. Louis (Mo.) and St. Thomas (Minn.), suffering a pair of one-run losses. At Pella last spring Central had to go nine innings for a 7-6 victory over Buena Vista after an 8-2 win in the opener, and dropped two of three to the Beavers the previous year.
“Buena Vista is much improved,” he said. “They played us tough last year. These will be tough games for us.”
