Katie Tenboer March 20, 2009

Dutch pitchers spark wins

TUCSON, ARIZ..—Taking a giant leap forward on the comeback trail, Katie Tenboer (sophomore, Morrison, Ill.) fired a three-hit shutout as the Central College softball team blanked Otterbein College (Ohio) 4-0 Thursday.

Earlier the Dutch endured temperatures above 90 degrees in tripping Denison Univ. (Ohio) 6-3. Central is 11-1 and off to its fastest start since the 2003 NCAA Division III champs opened with a 12-game win streak.

Tenboer, who suffered a serious ankle injury in January, is ahead of schedule in her return to action, but has largely been limited to playing first base along with spot pitching duties. But Thursday’s complete game was her longest outing of the young season. She improved to 3-0 by limiting Otterbein to three singles, two of which were bunts. She walked one batter and struck out five.

Tenboer’s performance was a welcome development for coach George Wares, who thinks she will continue to improve.

“Katie was solid,” he said. “The biggest thing was her ability to go the distance. She got some one-pitch outs, which always helps. The defense likes playing behind pitchers who get in their rhythm like she did, and made some really good plays tonight.”

Natalie DemingOne of the biggest of the defensive plays came in the fourth inning when Otterbein’s Kelsey Beers tried advancing from first base to third on a single by Kendy Beers. Right fielder Laura Braun (junior, Newton) fired a strike to third baseman Afton Nelson (junior, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley HS), who made the tag, then threw to first baseman Bethany Koskamp (sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) who caught the other runner making an aborted attempt to advance to second base.

The Dutch won two games despite one of their more subdued offensive showings of the week. Central scratched out six runs on just four hits against Denison (2-5) and had eight hits against Otterbein (2-1) while stranding a season-high 11 baserunners.

“That’s the way softball is,” Wares said. “We left the bases loaded a couple of times and kept the game a little closer than we wanted. But it’s good for the players to understand that if we’re going to make a serious run in our league, we’re going to need to do it with defense.”

Pitcher Megan Swingen (senior, Woden, Woden-Crystal Lake HS) had an efficient outing. Swingen (4-1) pitched 6.1 innings. She yielded two hits that led to two runs in the sixth inning, when she gave way to reliever Natalie Deming (junior, New Sharon, North Mahaska HS), but returned with two runners on and no outs in the seventh and closed out the game, finishing with two strikeouts. She gave up two earned runs on six hits, walking one and striking out two.

“I was happy with Megan,” Wares said. “I think the most impressive part was when she came back in the seventh and closed with a couple of key strikeouts.”

Catcher Kyrie Hale (freshman, Lee’s Summit, Mo.) had two hits and scored two runs in the opener, hitting a two-run inside-the-park home run to highlight a three-run fourth inning. Another freshman, shortstop Kelsey Wright (freshman, Gilbertville, Don Bosco HS) had three hits on the day, walked and stole a base while scoring and driving in a run. Central’s three former Pleasant Valley High School players were again productive. Nelson was on base five times, center fielder Alysha Overturf (senior, Bettendorf) scored three runs and left fielder Hannah Weindruch (senior, Bettendorf) was on base four times and scored two runs.

Central stole nine bases and holds a 43-5 season advantage over opponents in thefts.

The Dutch must make a quick turnaround for the Dutch. After returning to the team hotel late Thursday evening, they’ll be up before 6 a.m. to prepare for an 8 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) rematch with defending NCAA Division III champion Wis.-Eau Claire. The No. 2-rated Blugolds subdued Central 7-2 last Saturday and entered Thursday’s games with a 7-1 mark. Central must then sit on the sidelines until a 12:30 p.m. meeting with St. Mary’s Univ. (Minn.).