Laura Braun

Dutch run to softball tourney win

PELLA--Central College used three bunt singles and its usual daredevil baserunning to oust the Univ. of Dubuque from the Iowa Conference softball tournament Friday 4-0.  

Central (35-5) advances to a 4 p.m. contest against the winner of Friday's Wartburg-Simpson contest in another elimination game. Dubuque closes its season at 12-26.

The Dutch stole six bases, including one by shortstop Kelsey Wright (freshman, Gilbertville, Don Bosco HS), a school record 20th in a row.

Pitcher Kiley Lythberg (sophomore, Mount Prospect, Ill.) threw four innings of shutout ball. Lythberg (16-3) allowed four hits, walking one and striking out three. Allyse Vander Plaats (junior, Apple Valley, Calif., Naperville North HS) threw the final three innings. She allowed one hit with one walk and two strikeouts in recording her first save.