Central softball team sweeps doubleheader against Grinnell
The Dutch extend their winning streak to 11 games
Pella, IA (04/14/2025) — PELLA- The Central College softball team continued its hot streak with a sweep of a doubleheader against Grinnell College.
The Dutch (17-3, 2-0 American Rivers) won the opening game 7-2, and followed that up with an 11-3 win in five innings in game two.
Pitcher Jadyn Huisman (freshman, Treynor) got the start in the opening game and allowed two runs in the first inning. After that inning she held the Pioneers scoreless, as she threw her first career complete game. Her final pitching line was seven innings, allowing only four hits while striking out three hitters.
In the second game Chloe Dougherty (senior, Alleman, North Polk HS) pitched her second career complete game. She pitched five innings allowing three runs on nine hits. All three runs and five hits came in the fifth inning.
"We wanted to rest pitcher Emma Beck today and Jadyn and Chloe allowed us to do that," said coach George Wares. "Jadyn continues to make improvements, and Chloe had some moments and pitched well despite getting hit."
Offensively Central had 11 hits and drew six walks in the first game. The top three hitters in the lineup, shortstop Haley Bach (senior, Council Bluffs, Lewis Central HS), second base Larissa Miller (sophomore, Ankeny) and third base Hannah Higgins (junior, Macomb, Ill.) each had two hits. Bach and Higgins each had an RBI, and Miller also drew a walk. Bach also scored a run, while Miller and Higgins scored two runs.
Catcher Rylee Dunkin (sophomore, Hamilton, Twin Ceders HS) reached base all four times she came to the plate with one hit and three walks. She also scored a run and had an RBI. Left fielder Emma Jenson (senior, Earlham) and Elise Evans-Murphy (sophomore, Sergeant Bluff, Sergeant Bluff-Luton), who replaced Jensen in left field, both had an RBI single.
In the second game, the team had seven hits and drew four walks but capitalized on five Grinnell (7-21, 4-2 Midwest Conference) errors. Higgins and designated player Alexa Anderson (senior, Mount Ayr) led the team with two RBIs. Catcher Emma Lenox (senior, Fremont, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont HS) and right fielder Mariah Parton (junior, Ankeny) each added an RBI as well. Parton reached base safely in both of her at bats and scored both times. Bach and Miller each scored twice as well.
As a team across the two games the Dutch turned four double plays. The squad which ranks first nationally in fielding percentage at .989 did not commit an error. It also had 17 stolen bases across the games with Miller and Dunkin each stealing five bags, Ali Henry (freshman, Osceola, Clarke HS) had three, and Parton had two.
"We made some really nice plays on defense with the four double plays, which is encouraging to see," Wares said. "Our pressure creates unearned runs, but our speed will never go away, and we were able to capitalize on mistakes."
The Dutch will ride its 11-game winning streak into its three-game American Rivers Conference slate this week. The Dutch open the week in Indianola with a doubleheader against Simpson starting at 4 p.m.
"Simpson is playing very well, and they returned a lot from last season," said Wares. "They are getting quality pitching and swinging the bat well, so that will be a challenge."