The Central College softball team suffered a 3-0 loss to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the opening game of the NCAA division III softball tournament
           
The Dutch were limited to three hits and eight total base runners while striking out seven times. As a team, Central stranded six runners on base. 
           
"They had two quality pitchers, and their shortstop made some great plays," said coach George Wares. "All of our pitchers did well to keep us in the game, and we had some chances to score but they are a really good team."
           
Both teams went scoreless in the first three innings of play. The Pointers () broke the ice in the top of the fourth when they scored all three runs. Both teams, despite having baserunners remained scoreless the rest of the game.
           
With ace Emma Beck (junior, Holland, Grundy Center HS) still sidelined with an injury Jadyn Huisman (freshman, Treynor) got the start and pitched 2.1 scoreless innings allowing two hits and four walks. Carlin Smith (junior, Orange City, MOC-Floyd Valley HS) came in relief in the third inning and got out of a jam. Smith would go on to pitch 3.2 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while allowing three walks.
           
Chloe Dougherty (senior, Alleman, North Polk HS) came in with the bases loaded and zero outs in the seventh inning and was able to induce soft contact and hold the Pointers from scoring.
           
"I am really impressed with how Jadyn, Carlin and Chloe have stepped up after the injury to Beck," said Wares.
           
The Dutch were being no-hit through 5.1 innings until third baseman Hannah Higgins (junior, Macomb, Ill.) broke up the bid with an infield single. In the same inning catcher Rylee Dunkin (sophomore, Hamilton, Twin Ceders HS) ripped a double down the left field line, but Higgins was thrown out at home plate trying to score.
           
"The two pitchers dominated the game," Wares said. "They mix up their pitches and when you are unfamiliar with the pitchers it is hard to pick them up. Hopefully if we see them again, we'll have more familiarity with them."
           
Second baseman Larissa Miller (sophomore, Ankeny) did not record an official at-bat, but she drew three walks in her plate appearances. She also had two stolen bases Left fielder Emma Jensen (senior, Earlham) was the other player in the Dutch lineup to get a hit.
           
"The competitiveness of our league makes these games less scary for a pitcher," Smith said.
           
The Dutch will continue play in the double elimination tournament when they play Concordia University (Wis.) with first pitch slated for 1:30 p.m. The winner of that game will advance in the bracket and face the loser of The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Wis.-Stevens Point at 4:30 p.m.
           
"I am still confident in our team," Dunkin said. "We have faced challenges throughout the season and bounced back from them. We will think about what we can do better and get ready for tomorrow. I have a lot of confidence that we will have better at-bats and continue our strong defense."