PELLA—Not even 36 seasons on the job and an NFCA Hall of Fame coaching resume prepared Central College's George Wares for this.
           
Bringing a softball team back amid a global pandemic after having nearly a full season abruptly ripped away is a challenge that Wares and his coaching colleagues have never faced, but one he's eager to tackle. Yet 2021 will be a season unlike any that preceded it.
           
"The players are excited and I think more appreciative than ever that we're hopefully going to have a season and at least now we're practicing, but (the health precautions) take some getting used to," said Wares, who has captured four NCAA Division III championships while compiling a 1,158-395-3 (.745 record).
           
There's less known than is unknown. Hurlers Sydni Huisman (Treynor), Skylar Sadler (Lisbon) and Morgan Schaben (Harlan) are more than halfway through their sophomore year and have yet to throw a pitch in a game on their home diamond.
With only seven collegiate games on their collective resumes—two indoors and five in Arizona—Wares has resorted to calling his talented but unproven sophomore class "freshmen-plus."
           
"And our freshmen are not even freshmen yet because our fall (practice schedule) wasn't normal," he said.
           
One of the few certainties is Wares' belief in his squad. Central's 2020 season was just seven games old for the Dutch when it ended, but they were 6-1 and five of those games were against elite competition at the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic in Arizona, tying for second place before ranking No. 8 in the final NFCA top-25 rankings, Central's sixth top-10 ranking since 2009. The Dutch open 2021 rated No. 7 in the NFCA preseason poll.
           
Those Arizona games were invaluable in terms of both evaluation and experience.
           
"I think we're ahead of the curve in terms of the seven games we played, particularly the games in the Leadoff," Wares said. "I think it really helped those freshmen to be able to play games with that kind of intensity. I think it really increased their level of self-confidence that they can play well against high-level teams like that."
           
And while the COVID-19 virus ended Central's 2020 season, the team's growth didn't stop when the final pitch was thrown March 8.
           
"It's not like we took a year off," Wares said, citing the team's rigorous off-season work led by team captains Katie Banowetz (senior, Grand Mound, Calamus-Wheatland HS), Lexi DeJong (senior, Peyton, Colo., Vista Ridge HS) and Daria Parchert (senior, Illinois City, Ill., Rockridge HS).
           
Tradition, both long-established and recent, is also on Central's side. The Dutch made a record 30th NCAA Division III tourney appearance in 2019 and captured their 13th league championship while posting a 27-10 mark. And Central returns six of nine starters along with last season's projected top three pitchers. Among those returning is CoSIDA Academic All-American center fielder Sara Tallman (senior, Pella), who graduated last spring but is taking some additional education department work and taking advantage of the NCAA-approved opportunity to reclaim her lost senior season.
  Pitchers
Wares saw only seven games last year but he saw enough to confirm his belief in the potential of Huisman, Sadler and Schaben.
           
Huisman got more than a taste of the action, posting a 3-1 mark in 23.1 innings with a 1.50 earned run average. She fanned 29 hitters and walked 11.
           
"Sydney is throwing a little bit harder, she's gotten better on some of her specialty pitches and her change-up is improved," Wares said.
           
Schaben received American Rivers pitcher of the week honors after her Arizona showing. She was 2-0 with a 0.66 ERA in 10.2 innings.
           
"Morgan's got as good of a change-up as anybody and she throws with some velocity," Wares said.
           
Sadler threw 8.0 innings, going 1-0 with a 0.88 ERA.
           
"Skyler has worked really hard on her off-speed pitch and has an exceptional curveball," he said. "And she's gotten stronger. She committed to getting in better softball shape and on coming back with a better change-up. That's definitely happened."
           
While those are a reliable top three, Wares likes what he's seeing from freshman Emma Neu (Rochelle Park, N.J., Hackensack HS).
           
"We liked her coming in and she was a pleasant surprise in the fall in how quickly she developed," he said. "She'll have a year of pitching and developing with the JV, along with Emma Snyder (junior, Carroll) and Sabrina Tallman (junior, Pella)."

Infield
Catcher is setting up to be a tandem effort with sophomores Madison Farrington (Marshalltown, East Marshall HS) and Cassie Severson (Ankeny, Centennial HS). Farrington appeared in four games and hit .286 while Severson was in three contests, batting .250. Farrington was slowed by injury in the preseason.
           
"Both are really good behind the plate," Wares said. "Offensively, Cassie is a little bit more aware of shortening up and trying to get the ball in play where Madison's got the occasional home run power. We feel good about those two."
           
But the Dutch can also go to junior Meredith Mahoney (Downers Grove, Ill., South HS) or Emma Lowden (sophomore, Winterset).
           
"We feel pretty good about our depth there," Wares said.
           
First base is unsettled but Banowetz is likely to get the first shot. She had a hit in two at-bats last year and has flashed some power in a pinch-hitting role previously, but was hampered by injury.
           
"She's always been right there defensively, although she hasn't had as much time on the field, but she's had more offensive reps," Wares said. "We're hoping she can take off and improve."
           
But there are other options.
           
"Taryn Hintz (freshman, Primghar, South O'Brien HS) has a first baseman's height and she receives the ball very well," Wares said. "She runs exceptionally well and had some really good high school numbers. The challenge, as always is adjusting to college pitching."
           
Lowden and Jocy Timmerman (freshman, Fort Dodge, Saint Edmond Catholic HS) could also contend and Wares might give Schaben a shot in games when she's not pitching.
           
Lauren Birt (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) took an early hold on the second base job last year and is this season's frontrunner. She hit .250 in seven games, drawing four walks and stealing four bases.
           
"Lauren just continues to improve," Wares said. "She got so much better her sophomore year, even in the limited games we did play. She's stronger now and has tremendous range. And she's a really tough out offensively."
           
But others are close behind.
           
"We feel really good about our depth there," Wares said. "Megan Doty (sophomore, Grinnell) has improved a lot and Franie Burnett (freshman, Ankeny, Centennial HS) is a really good second baseman. She can back up there and back up shortstop."
           
Another second baseman catching Wares' eye, particularly at the plate and on the base paths, is freshman Parker Wilson (Fort Collins, Colo., Fossil Ridge HS).
           
The issue is settled at shortstop, where Parchert ranks among the best the Dutch have put at the position. A two-time team Defensive Player of the Year Award recipient, Parchert was a second-team all-league pick as a freshman and a first-team choice as a sophomore. She hit .429 with seven RBIs in last year's abbreviated season, after batting .379 with 27 RBIs the previous year. She has a career .357 mark. But she's even better with a glove, where she can be counted on for frequent "Oh, wow" plays.
           
"If she stays healthy, defensively there won't be a better shortstop in the country," Wares said. "Obviously we feel pretty good about her offensively, too."
           
Burnett can back her up along with sophomore Carson Fisk (Searsboro, Lynnville-Sully HS), a standout on the Dutch women's basketball team who is in her first year with the softball squad.
           
Paige Roehlk (senior, Davenport, West HS) got a taste of the starting role at third base last spring. She hit just .125 in a limited sample size, but has the speed to become a threat at the plate.
           
"She's improved a lot defensively," Wares said. "And Paige obviously has the ability to run so we're just trying to find a way for her to get the ball in play more consistently."
           
But Fisk made a big impression in fall workouts and Wares thinks third base is her strongest position.
           
"We think Carson Fisk is going to be a really good player for us," he said. "She is probably there, defensively, at third. She can also play shortstop and we could even toy with her at first base. She just hasn't faced a lot of really good college pitching yet so we're not sure what she'll do at the plate."
           
Wares is also intrigued by freshman Izzy Wright (Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) at third.
           
"She's a natural lefty (offensively) who swings it well and has a really good arm," he said. "She'll probably need a year of JV but she's in the mix."
           
Hintz and Timmerman could move across the diamond to third base as well.

Outfield
The return of Tallman solidifies a promising Dutch outfield and provides a veteran presence. A four-year starter in center field, Tallman opened 2020 with a typical flurry of production, hitting .455 with six stolen bases and 11 runs scored while posting a 1.000 fielding percentage.
           
She'll use her extra season to launch another assault on the Central record book. After setting the season stolen base record of 47 in 2018, she needs just 14 thefts to break Daniela Grob's career mark of 114 (1997-2000). She's already 11th in career hits with 167, 54 behind all-time leader Abbey Strajack (2012-15), her career batting mark of .399 ranks second and she stands fourth in career runs scored with 131, 20 behind Strajack.
           
"Having Sara Tallman back for a fifth year, you can't really overstate how important that is from a leadership standpoint," Wares said. "And obviously, you know she's going to lead off and, if she doesn't get hurt, she's going to set a lot of records. Defensively, you want to be really good up the middle and we think with Sara in center field, we definitely have a chance to be that."
           
Emma Johnson (sophomore, Davenport, Assumption HS) got a taste of a starting role in left field in last year's seven games, batting .235, and has strengthened her hold on the position, Wares said.
           
"Emma plays the outfield very well and also has great bat control," Wares said. "We think she's going to be a very special player before she's done."
           
Wares likes his right field candidates but hasn't yet settled on one.
           
Megan Stuhr (freshman, Sigourney) is among the top contenders but had to miss most of the indoor preseason workouts because she also competes in basketball.
           
"Megan had a really good fall," Wares said. "She was a good high school shortstop but I think even she would tell you that she'll probably be a better outfielder in college. We knew she hit really well in high school, although we were somewhat concerned about the level of competition she faced. But this fall she adjusted well and she really battles at the plate."
           
Denae Howes (senior, Denver, Colo., Arvada HS) transferred to Central a year ago and caught some attention.
           
"She's made some strides," Wares said. "She swings the bat pretty well. She's got a shot."
           
After two seasons as primarily a pinch-runner, Kellie Prince (junior, Linden, Panorama HS) is also making a bid for time in the field.
           
"Kelly is probably the most improved returner other than last year's freshmen," Wares said. "She had a really good fall. She's stronger and I think she committed more to getter better. She's always been pretty solid defensively but she's improved offensively as well."
           
Another possibility is freshman Skylar Hopkins (Norfolk, Neb.).
           
"Skylar has really improved from the first day of fall until now," Wares said. "She's OK at the plate, above average defensively and runs the bases real well."
           
Also in the picture is Lindsey Wilson (freshman, Fort Collins, Colo., Fossil Ridge HS). She and her sister, Parker, helped Fossil Ridge capture a state high school championship in Colorado.

Designated player
As always, Wares won't pick a designated player until the positions in the field are settled, but he's already thinking hard about using Burnett there.
           
"She swings the bat fundamentally as well as any freshman we've had and she's got way above average speed," he said. "You can't play back against her because she'll lay a bunt down and if you play in too far, she's got some serious power."
           
Wares could also turn to Schaben when she's not in the pitching circle, and her bat will definitely be in the lineup when she throws, he said.
           
Those two are also pinch-hitting choices along with Howes and Banowetz, if they're not already in the lineup.
           
Pinch-runners continue to play an oversized role in the Dutch attack.
           
"We're over the top, depth-wise," Wares said. "And not just with adequate pinch-runners but pinch-runners that can legitimately steal a base. Megan Doty will probably be the best of those. Kellie Prince, if she doesn't start, will definitely be in that mix and so would Skylar Hopkins. And if Paige Roehlk ended up not starting, she would be good. So we're going to have a whole lot of options."
           
Wares loves lineup flexibility which allows him to fully employ his dugout chess moves.
           
"We're going to have the ability to put somebody in a starting position, take them out, put them back, bring somebody else in," he said. "We're going to be able to move our pitchers around quite a bit. We're going to have a lot of options from a coaching standpoint."

A modified schedule
For health and safety reasons, the schedule has a different look as the Dutch will stay anchored close to home. There will be no Arizona or Florida and non-conference games will be fewer and limited to contiguous states with no overnight trips. The American Rivers slate, meanwhile, expands from 16 to 24 games as teams face each other in a doubleheader the first day, with a third game the next day, followed by a junior varsity contest.
           
Wares isn't sure how that will play out.
           
"We've never done it like this but playing 24 games makes sense because we didn't know if we were going to be able to play a regular non-conference schedule," he said. "It's going to be different having the back-to-back days where you play. I always have this projection in my mind with the 16 games that, well, if you're 12-4, you're probably going to at least tie for first place. Well, now does that mean 18-6? You don't know what it's going to take.
           
"But once we start playing, nothing changes. We go pitch by pitch and the process becomes everything."
           
The NCAA Division III tournament field was reduced from 61 to 48 teams so fewer at-large berths will be available. The perennially powerful American Rivers typically sends three or even four teams to the post-season but may only get a couple in this year. Consequently, with the increased weight of the conference schedule, coaches voted to give the league's automatic playoff berth to the regular-season champion. The league tournament, expanded for one year to a double-elimination, eight-team format, will be an opportunity for teams to burnish their postseason resume as well as simply another chance to play. That's a point of emphasis for every squad after last year's aborted season.                                    "I'm very much in favor of that for one year," Wares said. "When you play that many conference games, I think that gives you enough to say that team that wins it probably does deserve the automatic bid."
           
Wares said the strength of the conference is its lack of a weakness. While he tabs Wartburg College and Luther College as teams to beat, he thinks any league team is capable of picking off the others.
           
"I've said this forever, but I think our league is the best in the country not because of the top teams but because of the bottom," he said. "Whoever finishes ninth is going beat the ninth-place team in any other league."
           
The Dutch know they'll need to remain flexible as they navigate competing during a pandemic but after a year of uncertainty, the season is suddenly near, with a pair of games at Jacksonville, Illinois Feb. 27.
           
"We're practicing like we're playing Feb. 27," Wares said. "You can tell our players have been really, really good about coming in in shape, not just in cardiovascular shape but their arms are in good shape and they've swung the bat. The pitchers have really impressed me with the readiness they came in with, so that's puts us in a better spot to start early."
           
And after nearly 12 months of on-paper projections, Wares is excited to see how the newest chapter in the Dutch story unfolds.
           
"Like always, you need offensive reps, so I don't have any idea what we're going to be like offensively until we see more live pitching," he said. "But our lineup is going to have a really good balance of some power and speed. If you look at our projected lineup, there are going to be six kids that legitimately can run and steal bases. So we have the ability to do a lot of things offensively so that if we aren't doing that well hitting away, we're going to be able to find a way to score runs. And eventually, if you're going to have any desire to win the conference, win the regional, win the national, you're going to have to have a Plan B and C ready against some of those upper-level pitchers that you're going to face."
           
The time away has increased the players' hunger for the game, Wares said.
           
"The coaches' cliché, you play every game like it's your last, makes more sense to them now," he said. "Our players have always been good about putting in time in the offseason, but I think this year, if a player spent 30 minutes every other day getting some extra time throwing, not they're going 45 minutes, or if a player needs to get stronger and work in the weight room, the fact that we haven't had a chance to play increases the motivation to do that."
           
Whether the Dutch take the field Feb. 27 or if it's later, they'll be grateful to finally get that chance.           
           
"I think when we get an opportunity to play that first game, there's going to be appreciation, there's going to be nervousness, there are going to be a whole lot of different emotions, including some tears when we step onto the field," Wares said.