GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's softball team played on even terms with nationally-ranked Central College for a good portion of two games Tuesday before losing both with spurts by the Dutch in the later innings.
In the opener, the teams were embraced in a scoreless tie through four innings before Central pulled away for a 6-0 victory. The Pioneers led the second game 1-0 through two innings and were tied 1-all entering the fourth before Central won 9-1.
The losses in Grinnell's 2017 home debut at the Softball Complex dropped the Pioneers to 2-8. Central, ranked 22nd in NCAA Division III, moved to 17-3.
Kayla Morrissey '18 continued her early-season success by going 4-of-5 at the plate in the two games, including three doubles, to push her batting average to .424.
Lydia Stariha '17, meanwhile, moved into the No. 10 spot for career at-bats at Grinnell with 331 and
Melissa Anderson '18 is now sixth all-time in innings pitched with 289-2/3.
Grinnell threatened to score in the first game by putting two runners on base in the fourth inning when Morrissey doubled to left and
Emily Jordan '19 was intentionally walked. However, both runners were stranded and Central then scored three runs in the fifth inning, two in the sixth and one in the seventh.
Morrissey had two hits in the game and Anderson doubled while also striking out one in earning the pitching decision.
Grinnell pounded out seven hits the second game, including two doubles by Morrissey and a pair of singles from
Sidney Litke '19.
Grinnell got on the board with two out in the first. Morrissey belted a double to left-center and scored when
Mikyla Murphy '19 sent a blistering single by the third baseman into left field.
Grinnell threatened to add to its lead in the second with a pair of hits, but was left empty-handed. Central scored in the third inning, put up three runs in the fourth, four more in the fifth and another in the sixth to win via the eight-run rule.
Maggie Remus '18 was the pitcher of record for Grinnell and fanned one batter.
The Pioneers entertain another Iowa Conference team Thursday when Loras College visits for a doubleheader. The first pitch is slated for 3:30 p.m.
