Central lands three on softball all-region squad
Central Dutch Athletics
PELLA—Three Central College players received NFCA Division III All-Midwest Region softball honors.
A pair of sophomore outfielders, center fielder Sara Tallman (Pella) and right fielder Shaye Witte (West Des Moines, Waukee HS) received first-team recognition and are now under consideration for All-America distinction. Catcher Emily Walton (senior, Cedar Rapids, Jefferson HS) was a third-team pick.
Tallman, also a two-time first-team All-Iowa Conference selection, received all-region honors for the second time after being a second-team pick a year ago. She batted .387 and set a school record with 47 stolen bases, ranking fourth in the NCAA Division III. Tallman scored 50 runs, the second-best season total in school history and delivered a team-high 53 hits with 17 walks and a .455 on-base percentage. She also sparkled in the field, with a .986 fielding percentage, committing just one error on the year.
Witte, a transfer in her first year with the Dutch, was an at-large pick for the first team. Batting second in the Central order behind Tallman, she was the squad’s leading hitter with a .404 mark and a .477 on-base percentage.
Walton, who missed the 2017 season with injury, received second-team all-conference recognition earlier. She was also named to the all-tournament team at the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic in Tucson, Arizona March 2-4 and at the NCAA Division III St. Paul, Minnesota Regional last weekend. Walton hit .372 and lead Central in doubles (10) and runs batted in (38) while posting a .521 slugging percentage and striking out just six times. She posted a .982 fielding percentage.
Central closed with a 29-12 record after finishing second in NCAA regional play. The Dutch, ranked No. 23 in the NFCA Division III Top 25, were making their record 29th NCAA Division III tournament appearance.
The NFCA All-America team will be announced at the Division III Championship banquet May 23 in Oklahoma City.
