Six-run first inning propels Central in NCAA softball tourney play
PELLA-The Central College softball offense is heating up at the right time.
Third baseman Franie Burnett (senior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) continued her recent surge with three hits, the Dutch used their small-ball attack to put up six first-inning runs and Central notched a 10-2, five-inning opening-game win over the University of Wisconsin-Superior in NCAA Division III regional tournament play Thursday.
Central (30-10), ranked No. 25 in the NFCA Division III coaches poll, takes on the No. 15 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in an 11 a.m. winners bracket game of the four-team, double-elimination regional. Wis.-Whitewater blanked No. 22 Bethel University (Minn.) 2-0 in Thursday’s second game. Bethel and Wis.-Superior stage an elimination game at 1:30 p.m. Friday while the Bethel vs. Wis.-Superior winner will take on the Central vs. Wis.-Whitewater loser in another elimination game at 4 p.m. at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex softball field. The regional tourney concludes Saturday.
“Obviously, we did what we had to early when we came out and got the 6-0 lead,” said coach George Wares,who has now piloted the Dutch to 29 30-win seasons. It’s Central’s 32nd NCAA tourney appearance.
