The Central College softball team will have to take full advantage of the double elimination format in the NCAA softball regionals, as the Dutch were sent to the losers bracket with a 3-0 loss to UW-Stevens Point in the opening round yesterday as heard live on 92.1 KRLS from Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The Pointers scored the only three runs of the game in the fourth inning, and Central didn’t muster its first hit until the sixth. Two Stevens Point pitchers combined on the three-hit shutout, but they did walk five batters, leading to a few Central scoring chances that came up empty.

Now, the Dutch must win four games in two days to win the regional. Sophomore catcher Rylee Dunkin says that they’re ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

“It’s pretty remarkable what we’ve done this year with the things that we’ve had to face and come back with, and our pitchers have done a great job stepping up. I think this isn’t going to be anything major for us. We’re going to get back to the hotel, think about what we can do better and get ready for tomorrow. I have a lot of confidence that moving forward we’re going to have more competitive at bats and still play our solid defense out in the field as well.”

First up is an elimination game today at 1:30 against Concordia of Wisconsin. If Central wins, they’ll play again immediately afterwards against the loser of this morning’s game between Oskhosh and Stevens Point. You can hear every pitch of every Dutch game all weekend long on 92.1 KRLS.