NORWALK— Forced to play its first schedule home doubleheader an hour away from Pella, the Central College softball team defeated Westminster College (Mo.) 6-4 in the opener before dropping game two 4-2.
           
Central (3-1) started fast in game one, posting three runs in the first inning led by a two-run double from third baseman Hannah Higgins (senior, Macomb, Ill.).
           
The Dutch never trailed but the Blue Jays pulled close in a 4-3 game in the top of the sixth inning. Central manufactured a pair of runs offensively in the bottom half, starting with a Jadyn Huisman (sophomore, Treynor) RBI groundout. Left fielder Ali Henry (sophomore, Osceola, Clarke HS) also scored from second when pinch hitter Rylie Grabau (freshman, Tucson, Ariz., Mica Mountain HS) intentionally got in a rundown between first and second to end the inning.
           
Huisman started in the circle and got her second win, striking out three of the 24 batters she faced. She allowed just one earned run but walked three. Freshman Ella Morse (freshman, Tucson, Ariz., Sabino HS retired five of the final six batters to get the save after stunting a bases loaded jam in the sixth.
           
In the game two loss, Higgins and Huisman had RBI singles in the third to give Central a 2-0 lead but the Blue Jays added two in the fourth to tie it and scored a pair of unearned runs in the seventh to win it. Peyton Levine (freshman, Oswego, Ill., Yorkville HS) took the loss after giving up nine hits and three walks while striking out four in seven innings.
           
Central plays the first two of its 10 games in Melbourne, Florida on Saturday. The Dutch open with Rivier University (N.H.) at 2:30 p.m. (EST) and follow with Lakeland University (Wis.) at 7 p.m. (EST).