MANKATO, MINN. — Led by two complete games from pitcher Emma Beck (junior, Holland, Grundy Center HS), the Central College softball team swept a doubleheader against Bethay Lutheran College.
           
In the first game, the Dutch (9-3) won 4-2. The squad had six hits from six different players, while also drawing three walks. Designated player Alexa Anderson (senior, Mount Ayr) continued her hot start to the season as she hit her first career home run. Left fielder Emma Jensen (senior, Earlham) and first base Addi Starr (freshman, Ankeny, Centennial HS) also had RBIs.
           
"We went up against a pretty good pitcher and I was happy with how our offense was able to manufacture runs," coach George Wares said. "We came out and played really well. It was also great to see Anderson hit her first homerun."
           
In the same game, Beck pitched all seven innings allowing two runs on seven hits while also striking out three hitters.
           
In the second game, Central took care of business with an 11-3 win in five innings. The offense exploded with a five-run second inning, in which catcher Rylee Dunkin (sophomore, Hamilton, Twin Cedars HS), Jensen, and shortstop Haley Bach (senior, Council Bluffs, Lewis Central HS) collected RBIs. As a team the Dutch would total 10 hits with Dunkin, Jensen and centerfielder Carley Underwood (sophomore, Mitchellville, Colfax-Mingo HS) each having two hits while also scoring two runs.
           
Starr, Bach and Jensen also had two RBIs a piece, while third base Hannah Higgins (junior, Macomb, Ill.) and Dunkin added one.
           
"From the top to the bottom of our lineup we swung the bats well, and executed our gameplan," said Wares. "Our baserunning was really effective."
           
In this game Beck pitched five innings and limited the Vikings (13-10) to two earned runs on three hits.
           
"Beck pitched well today, we wanted to see how she would perform pitching multiple complete games in a day, and we were happy with what we saw," Wares said.
           
The Dutch will play its opening American Rivers Conference games Friday when they travel to Simpson College for a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.