Schulenberg gem fuels Central softball sweep
Central College
TUCSON, ARIZ.—This was the kind of softball Central College coach George Wares was looking for.
After an erratic start to its trip to the Tucson Invitational Games, the Dutch turned in a crisp performance against Wis.-La Crosse, getting a six-hit shutout from Mallory Schulenberg (senior, Kansas City, Mo., St. Pius X HS) in blanking Wis.-La Crosse 2-0 Thursday, avenging a loss earlier in the week. Central followed that with a 7-3 decision over Puget Sound (Wash.) to record its first two-game sweep of the week. But it was the opener that set the tone.
“Obviously it would have been a tough one to lose, but win or lose, this was more the way we need to play,” Wares said. “It’s not like La Crosse made a bunch of errors that allowed us to score. It was a well-played game by both teams. We needed one of those.”
Offensively, second baseman Abbey Strajack (senior, Davenport, Assumption HS) was again the catalyst. She was 3-for-3 and scored the critical go-ahead run in the first inning. She singled to center, was sacrificed to second base and advanced on a force out. First baseman Kaitlyn Matzen (senior, Manly, Central Springs HS) walked and then initiated a double steal, with Strajack swiping home.
And in the fourth, designated player Karlee Rock (senior, Wheatland, Calamus-Wheatland HS) continued her early season power surge, stroking her team-high sixth home run over the right-center field fence to lead off the fourth.
“Karlee had a very bad at-bat her first time up, but she was able to bounce back and get in quick reset mode,” Wares said. “She’s continuing to hit very well and is hitting with more power than she has in her whole career.”
That was all the support Schulenberg needed, although she had to diffuse numerous Wis.-La Crosse threats. The Eagles had runners on base in six of the seven innings, loading the bases in the sixth and putting the tying runs aboard in the seventh.
“Mallory was smart,” Wares said. “A couple times when they had big chances, she stayed patient. She didn’t let their big hitters beat us and was able to pitch her way out of jams. She pitched very well but really, ever since the opener (against Wis.-River Falls March 6), she’s pitched pretty solid.”
Each team had six hits in the game. Schulenberg walked two hitters and struck out four. Meanwhile the Dutch offense was far more efficient than in the teams’ previous meeting. In a 6-2 loss Sunday, Central hitters fanned 13 times against Eagles hurler Megan Nelson, but struck out just twice against her Thursday.
The Dutch offense got a welcome boost against Puget Sound from outfielder Abbie Voas (sophomore, Chanhassen, Minn.). She was 3-for-3, scored three runs and belted her first home run, a solo shot to lead off the fifth inning, along with a double.
“We’ve got some people stepping up,” Wares said. “Abbie Voas, after a bad start, really hit well today, which is encouraging.”
The Dutch, who have been without injured center fielder Paige Heesch (senior, Titonka, WCLT HS) most of the week, continue to get contributions from freshman Tabitha Taylor (Grimes, Dallas Center-Grimes HS), who moved into the starting lineup in Heesch’s absence. She had a single against Wis.-La Crosse and two hits against Puget Sound, including a run-scoring triple, lifting her average to .533. Heesch’s expected return is imminent and Wares welcomes his team’s new-found depth.
“When we get Paige back, we’ll have some good options,” he said. “We’ll have some quality people starting but also good players we can bring in, which will allow us to do some different things. This will help us down the road.”
Catcher Katie Canney (senior, Adel, ADM HS) also had a big day. She was struck by a fouled pitch against Wis.-La Crosse, but remained in the game and on the next pitch, tossed out an Eagles runner on a stolen base attempt. Canney then had two hits against Puget Sound before taking a needed break.
Trisha Smith (junior, New Hampton) improved to 5-1, yielding one run on four hits in four innings against Puget Sound. She walked one and struck out two. Annie DeVries (freshman, Eldridge, North Scott HS) recorded her first save, giving up two runs on seven hits in three innings with no walks and a strikeout.
“I thought Trish gave us some better innings,” Wares said. “That should help her confidence. Annie stuggled a little with her drop ball but did a good job of finishing.”
But there’s little time for satisfaction. Central tackles traditional NCAA tourney contender Pacific Lutheran (Wash)., a team the Dutch have clashed with in past Division III tournaments, at 3:30 p.m. (Pacific Time) Friday before meeting another powerful NAIA club, Valley City State (N.D.) at 5:30 p.m.
“Pacific Lutheran is very athletic,” Wares said. “It will be a challenge against both of these teams. We need to keep playing well.
“It’s getting toward the end of the week when you start feeling a little tired, but we’ve got some very important games the next two days.”
For now, however, the Dutch have at least flashed the promise Wares knew the club had.
“We’re not there yet but it’s a step in the right direction,” he said. “This is the way we need to play if we’re going to be serious contenders down the road.”
An audio webcast of the game with Pacific Lutheran will be available via www.kniakrls.com at approximately 5:30 p.m. (Central Time). The webcast can be accessed directly via rdo.to/knia2 . There will also be a webcast of Saturday’s game with Lewis and Clark (Ore.) at 1 p.m. (Central Time).
