Pitcher Kiley Lythberg showed that she could win a game with both offense and defense yesterday, as she led the Central softball team at the plate in a 10-1 rout of Husson; then dominated in the pitching circle in a 2-0 win over Schreiner.  

Lythberg jumpstarted Central’s offense against Husson when a bases-loaded bloop to right field turned into a a three-run triple in the third inning. Catcher Kyrie Hale followed that with an RBI single to put Central up 4-0.  

Central closed the door in the sixth inning with six more runs on five hits, as Lythberg finished the day with four RBIs on three hits, while three other players had two hits apiece.  Rhianna Fleetwood earned the win in the pitching circle, improving to 4-0.  

Against Schreiner, Lythberg would clash with top pitcher Becca Hay.  First baseman Katie Tenboer scored the game’s first run on a solo home run in the fourth inning, and the Dutch added another run two batters later to come up with the only offense they’d need in the 2-0 win.  

Lythberg meanwhile, was spectacular in the pitching circle, striking out a career-best 12 batters from Schreiner.  She is now 4-1 this season.  

The two wins push the Central softball team’s winning streak to eight games, as the Dutch are now 8-2 overall entering evening games today with Denison and Marian as play at the Tucson Invitational continues.