The Central College softball team used strong pitching and defense to blank Loras 10-0 in six innings and 1-0 yesterday in an Iowa Conference doubleheader. Pitcher Kiley Lythber threw nine of the 13 innings, allowing just three hits while walking two and striking out nine. Lythberg picked up both wins to improve to 12-3. Central played errorless ball until committing one miscue in the seventh inning of the second game. The Dutch, who entered the week ranking second in Division III in double plays, turned two more, giving them 14 for the season. First baseman Katie Tenboer upped her season average to .415 with three hits, including a three-run homer to left-center that ended the opener in the sixth inning. Central had eight hits in the opener and six in the second game.

The Iowa Conference wins lifted 6th ranked Central to 17-6 overall and 3-1 in league play. Central travels to Waverly Saturday for a league twinbill at Wartburg College starting at 2 p.m. You can hear both games live on 92.1 FM KRLS and kniakrls.com starting just before 2pm tomorrow.