Dutch run past the Rams in softball sweep
PELLA- Piling up the stolen bases, the speed of the Central College softball team was on full display Wednesday in a 9-1, 13-2 sweep of Cornell College
Central (24-7) tallied 19 stolen bases on the day against the Rams (13-14). Center fielder Emma Johnson (fifth year, Davenport, Assumption HS) and right fielder Mariah Parton (sophomore, Davenport, Assumption HS) had four apiece.
“We’ve got veterans that are smart on the base paths,” coach George Wares said. “It puts a lot of pressure on the opponent.”
Six of Central’s 12 hits in the six-inning opening game came off the bats of Central’s left-handed slap hitters, Johnson and Parton, who were both 3-for-3. Parton bunted twice and Johnson bunted once. Shortstop Carson Fisk (fifth year, Searsboro, Iowa, Lynnville-Sully HS) also had a pair of bunt singles. The bunts are a part of Central’s trademark small-ball approach. The rams also committed nine errors, a byproduct of all the bunting and running.
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When your opponent hasn’t seen it often and it’s a style they’re not used to, it can be pretty effective,” Wares said.
Sydni Huisman (fifth year, Treynor) bounced back after a tough outing Tuesday against Luther, starting and pitching for 5.0 innings. She allowed just three hits while striking out twice and most importantly she issued no walks.
“She needed it,” Wares said. “The fact that she had more command of her pitches and didn’t walk anybody is going to help her for the rest of the week.”
Central added 10 more hits in the five-inning second game. Hannah Higgins (sophomore, Macomb, Ill.) led the way with two hits, two runs scored and two RBI. Higgins played third base in both games in place of Franie Burnett (senior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) who was out of the lineup for the day.
“Hannah’s a competitor and a complete softball player,” Wares said. “She played a good third base for us with Franie out.”
Emma Lenox (junior, Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont HS) also drew praise after a 3-for-3 doubleheader with two doubles.
“She is getting better and better,” Wares said.
Catcher Rylee Dunkin (freshman, Hamilton, Twin Cedars HS) and Parton each accounted for four runs on the day.
Morgan Schaben (fifth year, Portsmouth, Harlan HS) was the winning pitcher in game two, getting the start and striking out four in 4.0 innings of work. Chloe Dougherty (junior, Alleman, North Polk HS) threw the final inning of both games, retiring six of the seven batters she faced.
The Dutch travel to Storm Lake Thursday for a 2 p.m. doubleheader against Buena Vista University.
“We’ve struggled up there at times,” Wares said. “If we’re going to win the league and maintain our position from a regional standpoint, we need to get them.”
