Walton’s clutch hit propels Central softball team past Wartburg
Central Dutch Athletics
PELLA—Catcher Emily Walton (senior, Cedar Rapids, Jefferson HS) had four hits Saturday but none were bigger than her two-out, two-run tiebreaking single that lifted the Central College softball team to a 5-2 win over Wartburg College and an eventual sweep of an Iowa Conference doubleheader.
The No. 23-rated Dutch (21-7 overall, 8-2 conference) exploded for nine first-inning runs en route to a 12-4 five-inning runaway in the nightcap.
Wartburg (12-14 overall, 2-8 conference) had the Dutch on their heels in the opener, taking a 2-0 third-inning lead against pitcher Mariah Fritz (junior, Tama, East Marshall HS). But Sadie Baugher (junior, Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont HS) had a pinch-hit RBI double and scored on a sacrifice fly to tie it 2-2. Then with two outs and two on in the fifth inning, Walton delivered her two-run hit. Central added a run in the sixth.
“I was really happy with the response,” coach George Wares said. “They scored two and obviously got some confidence. But a big key was when they got a leadoff double the next inning and we were able to keep her there. Then we got a really big at-bat by Sadie Baugher. I felt once we tied it, we were in pretty good shape.”
Baugher had entered the game earlier as a pinch-runner and remained in the game as the designated player.
“We kept her in because we were thinking she could get a bunt base hit and advance the runner but then with two strikes, we let her hit and she got a big hit,” Wares said.
Fritz (10-4) was charged with one earned run on five hits over seven innings with two walks and six strikeouts.
“I thought Mariah pitched well,” Wares said. “She got some timely strikeouts to prevent Wartburg from scoring, so I was pleased. I think we’re in a really good spot with our pitching right now.”
Walton was 3-for-3 in the opener and added a hit in her only at-bat in the second game, sending her season average soaring to .443 with a team-high 29 runs batted in.
Central’s nine-run first inning in the second game came on seven hits. The Dutch added just two more hits the rest of the way but took advantage of four Wartburg errors. Center fielder Sara Tallman (sophomore, Pella) was 3-for-3 with three runs scored after singling once in the opener. Tallman, who’s hitting .442 for the year, added two more stolen bases, giving her 29. That’s eight shy of Daniela Grob’s 2000 school season record with 10 regular-season games remaining. She’s tied for sixth on the school’s all-time season list. Tallman has also climbed into a tie for seventh in season runs scored with 39, 13 short of Abbey Strajack’s 2015 record.
Right fielder Shaye Witte (sophomore, West Des Moines, Waukee HS) had two hits and a walk and scored three runs after singling in the opener and stealing three bases. She’s batting a team-leading .453.
Pitcher Annie DeVries (senior, Eldridge, North Scott HS) ran into fifth-inning turbulence, allowing four runs, including a three-run homer. She was in command through the first four frames. DeVries (9-3) yielded eight hits overall with no walks and two strikeouts. Danielle Riley (junior, Afton, East Union HS) got the final out.
“Overall, our pitching has been really consistent for quite a while now, which is a good thing moving forward,” Wares said.
Central stole nine bases in the opener and four more in the second game. For the year, the Dutch hold an 87-27 advantage over opponents in steals. They’ve topped the 100-steal mark 19 times since 1990.
Central topped another milestone in securing its 33rd consecutive 20-win season. The last time the Dutch failed to reach that standard was when Wares’ first squad finished 19-14 in 1985.
Central is home again Sunday for a non-conference doubleheader with Westminster College (Mo.) at noon at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex softball field. The Blue Jays are 14-12 after posting a 4-0, 8-2 sweep at Eureka College (Ill.) Saturday. Westminster pitcher Katie Price threw two no-hitters, including a five-inning perfect game, in a four-day span earlier this month. Pitcher Madison Ingram also has a no-hitter. The Blue Jays are in the midst of a 12-game, seven-day sprint to complete its regular season. Central returns to league play Wednesday at Nebraska Wesleyan.
“Westminster’s a good team,” Wares said. “They’re in a tough grind right now so they may not throw their No. 1 pitcher, but that’s not going to concern us. I hope we just get really good at-bats and pitch well. I feel better now that we don’t play again until Wednesday, so we’ll just try to get two tomorrow and then take two days to get ready for Nebraska Wesleyan.”
A video webstream and live stats of Sunday’s games can be accessed through the Central athletics website at athletics.central.edu.
