DECORAH, Iowa – The Luther College softball team split the series against the no. 23 nationally ranked Central College.
Avery Nehring hit the walk off single in the first game (5-4) while the Dutch took game two by a final score of 6-5. Luther is now 17-11 overall and 6-4 in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C).
Game 1: Luther 5, Central 4
The Dutch jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one complete inning. The Norse answered in the bottom of the second scoring four runs on one hit. In that inning, Luther sent 10 batters to the plate. Central inched closer scoring a run in the fifth and a run in the top of the seventh tied the game (4-4).
Mya Larsen and
Raven Allen hit back-to-back singles and both advanced on a passed ball to get into scoring position. The Dutch loaded the bases with an intentional walk. A single to the outfield by
Avery Nehring hit the walk-off hit that scored Larsen.
Alexa Stevermer pitched her fifth complete game of the season earning the win in the circle. She allowed four runs on six hits, six walks and three strikeouts.
Game 2: Luther 5, Central 6
Madi Urfer the leadoff batter started the Norse offense hitting a solo homerun out to left field. It marked her second career homerun and first of the season. The inning continued with an rbi double from Nehring and
Evie Strigel also earned an rbi giving the home team 3-0 lead.
Once again, the Dutch chipped away at the lead scoring a run in the second and one in the third. Central took their first lead of the game in the top fourth (4-3). In the bottom half of the inning, a sac fly from Allen and Nehring put Luther back out in front (5-4).
But the Dutch would get two more runs with one in the fifth and one in the seventh. The Norse rallied in the final frame with two runners on but the Dutch secured the 6-4 victory.
Isabelle Staton started the game pitching five innings allowing seven hits and five runs. Stevermer came in relief pitching the final two innings allowing one run on two hits.
No. 23 Central is now 22-6 overall and 5-3 in the A-R-C.
Luther is back at home on Tuesday, April 21 versus Loras College with first pitch at 2 p.m. at Betty A. Hoff Field.
