Alysha Overturf March 16, 2009

Central racks up 25 runs in sweep

TUCSON, ARIZ..—After eight games in four days, the Central College softball team is a bit weary but there’s still plenty of energy in the Dutch bats, racking up 23 hits and 25 runs in a pair of five-inning victories Monday.

Central (7-1) rolled over Wesleyan Univ. (Conn.) 9-1 then outslugged Edgewood College (Wis.) 16-8.

Third baseman Afton Nelson (junior, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley HS), who had six hits and was on base eight straight times in two wins Sunday, extended her streak to 14 consecutive times Monday. Nelson had three hits and three RBIs while stealing a base and scoring three runs. She reached three times Monday on errors.

“Afton is just doing a lot of good things,” coach George Wares said. “Obviously to have a streak like that you get a break here and there, but to be on base so many times, you have to be doing something pretty well.”

Central got big production from a trio of freshmen. Kyrie Hale (Lee’s Summit, Mo.), called on to fill a spot in the outfield, had four hits and reached base five times while scoring twice and driving in two runs. Second baseman Angela Davis (West Des Moines, Valley HS) was on base six times and scored four runs. She had two hits and a walk and scored two runs against Edgewood. And shortstop Kelsey Wright (Gilbertville, Don Bosco HS) reached base five times. She had three hits, three runs and three RBIs.

Kiley LythbergDesignated player/outfielder Ryann Engholm (senior, Bloomington, Minn., Thomas Jefferson HS) had a double and a triple against Wesleyan before leaving the game with an injury. Central was also without right fielder Laura Braun (junior, Newton), who sat out because of injury.

Coach George Wares divided the pitching duties. Katie Tenboer (sophomore, Morrison, Ill.) made her first start of the season, giving up one run on two hits against Wesleyan. Natalie Deming (junior, New Sharon, North Mahaska HS) finished the game with 1.1 innings of shutout ball. Kiley Lythberg (sophomore, Mount Prospect, Ill.) yielded three runs in two innings against Edgewood, striking out five. Megan Swingen (senior, Woden, Woden-Crystal Lake HS) got the win, moving to 3-1 after throwing the final three innings. She yielded five runs on seven hits.

All five runs were unearned in an untidy fifth inning. Central had rallied from a 3-0 deficit and entered the fifth with a 14-3 lead, putting the Dutch in position to close out the contest by having the required eight-run advantage. But a potential game-ending pop-up was dropped and Wesleyan came to life, erupting for five two-out runs to make it 14-8. However Central rebounded with two runs in the bottom of the frame to finish it.

“It’s a stretch to say we’re disappointed,” said Wares, who was nonetheless a bit frustrated with the final inning. “You play this many games and you’re going to have an inning like that.”

The Dutch enjoy their only off day on the trip Tuesday and need it, he said.

“You can tell we’re tired,” Wares said. “We had two players out (with injury) in the last game and a lot of people are worn out, especially the freshmen. They’re not used to this.

“But I was pleased with how we battled in the second game today. Edgewood was pumped up to play us and got three runs on the first inning, but we bounced back in the bottom of the first to tie it. That may have been the best thing that happened this week.

“We’re very happy with where we are right now. We’re doing a lot of things well but the nice thing is, we can do a lot better. The potential for improvement with this team is pretty high.”