Megan Swingen April 11, 2009

Another Swingen shutout but a Central split

DUBUQUE—Pitcher Megan Swingen (senior, Woden, Woden-Crystal Lake HS) tossed her second three-hit shutout in less than 24 hours but the Central College softball team’s Iowa Conference title hopes absorbed a serious jolt as the Dutch split a league doubleheader at the Univ. of Dubuque Saturday.

Dubuque (9-17 overall, 3-6 conference), which had upset No. 14 Wis.-Whitewater earlier in the week, knocked off No. 6 Central 2-1 in Saturday’s opener before the Dutch rebounded behind Swingen for a 5-0 win. It was Dubuque’s first victory over Central since 2000.

Central slipped to 24-4 overall and 7-3 in the league, two games out of first place.

“We’ll have to win out (the last six conference games) and hope we get a bit of help,” coach George Wares said.

The Dutch were coming off a make-up doubleheader at Simpson College Friday evening before heading to Dubuque early Saturday. Dubuque came out swinging, getting seven hits off pitcher Kiley Lythberg (sophomore, Mount Prospect, Ill.) and scoring runs in the second and third inning. Central right fielder Ryann Engholm (senior, Bloomington, Minn., Thomas Jefferson HS) tripled and scored Central’s lone run in the fourth inning. Dubuque pitcher Katie Golien limited the Dutch to just four hits, striking out three with no walks in swiftly working through the lineup. The game was completed in just 1:15. Lythberg (10-2) struck out two with no walks.

“We just didn’t get a hit when we needed it,” Wares said. “The game happened so fast. Kiley (Lythberg) wasn’t sharp, but she only gave up two runs, which shouldn’t beat you.”

Swingen (10-1) quieted the Dubuque bats in the nightcap, yielding three hits while striking out three and walking none. Central broke on top in the third inning when shortstop Kelsey Wright (freshman, Gilbertville, Don Bosco HS), who had two of the squad’s four hits in the opener, tripled and scored in the third.

The Dutch broke it open with four runs in the fourth inning, stringing together five hits. Designated player Rachael Everingham (freshman, Georgetown, Ill., Ridge Farm HS) had an RBI single and second baseman Angela Davis (freshman, West Des Moines, Valley HS) had a two-run hit.

Central had nine hits, including two more by left fielder Hannah Weindruch (senior, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley HS), who had four extra-base hits at Simpson Friday evening.

“Megan did a great job again,” Wares said. “We’ve only given up three runs in our past five games. It just shows you can’t get too high on offense.”

Central was completing a demanding 10-game, 11-day stretch which included six games against nationally ranked opponents. Wares said his team’s struggles in the opener Saturday didn’t come as a complete surprise.

“We’re worn out, both physically and mentally,” he said. “But give Dubuque credit. They made all the plays and played very well.”

The Dutch finally get a brief break. They’re off until Wednesday and are at home for the next three doubleheaders. Central plays host to Buena Vista Univ. Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex field.

“It will be good to get some rest,” said Wares. “The players are pretty drained right now. We’ll give them Sunday and Monday off and let them get away from it for a while, then come back ready to go when we play Wednesday.”