Central Softball Team Sweeps Millikin
Making its debut on its home field Sunday, the Central College softball team ran their winning streak to 12 straight games by sweeping Millikin University (Ill.) 6-2 and 3-1.
A three-run first inning put Central (15-1) in front early during the opener. The Dutch put up another crooked number with two in the third. Central outhit Millikin 9-3 in the contest. Sarah Stufflebeam and Ali Henry each had two hits and a double during the first game, and Henry also scored twice. Jadyn Huisman started in the circle and went 4.1 innings for her seventh win of the season. She allowed just one run and one hit, walking four and striking out three. Ella Morse closed out the game with 2.2 innings, allowing two hits and one run.
Huisman got her first save of the season in the second game after Peyton Levine started and went 6.1 innings. Levine walked six and gave up six hits, but just one earned run crossed the plate. Huisman retired both batters she faced. Rylee Dunkin had two hits from her leadoff spot in the nightcap, and Addi Starr also added two hits.
The Dutch host Illinois College for a doubleheader on Saturday.
Grinnell Outscores Central Baseball Team
In its fourth game in three days, the Central College baseball team couldn’t string together enough offense in an 11-4 loss to Grinnell College Sunday.
The Dutch (6-10) tallied eight hits against the Pioneers (4-11) but also stranded eight baserunners. Garrett Guenther had two hits for Central and also scored two of the team’s four runs. Brayden Sawyer also had a two-hit game. Brock Luna started the scoring for Central with an RBI single in the fifth and added an eighth inning sacrifice fly.
Eight different Dutch players were used on the mound, including two who made their collegiate debut. Tate Jirovsky threw a scoreless eighth inning, working around a pair of walks. Beau Twohig struck out two batters but allowed three unearned runs. Caleb Stewart took the loss after allowing two runs in the first inning. He exited after facing four batters due to injury. As a whole, the Dutch pitching staff struck out 11 batters but also walked eight.
Central has their fifth game in four days tonight, traveling to Mount Vernon for a 7 pm non-conference game against Cornell College.