Central puts five on all-conference softball team

PELLA — Second baseman Haley Bach (sophomore, Council Bluffs, Lewis Central HS) and center fielder Emma Johnson (senior, Davenport, Assumption Catholic HS) head a crew of five Central College players named to the American Rivers All-Conference Softball Team.

Bach and Johnson were both first-team selections. Pitchers Sydni Huisman (senior, Treynor) and Emma Beck (freshman, Holland, Grundy Center HS) and third baseman Franie Burnett (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) were each tabbed for the second team.

Johnson was named to the first team for the second consecutive year. She’s batting .389 with 27 runs scored, 17 RBIs and 15 stolen bases while compiling a 1.000 fielding percentage.

Bach is Central’s leading hitter with a .410 mark. She was named the conference position player of the week March 13. She’s tied a school season record with 52 runs scored, has a team-high 50 hits, including 11 doubles, along with 23 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Bach has drawn 30 walks and has a conference-best .541 on-base percentage. She’s posted a .949 fielding percentage.

Burnett was honored for the third time, getting first-team honors as a freshman before gaining second-team recognition the past two years. She’s hitting .341 with 27 runs scored and a team-high 45 RBIs. Burnett has a .927 fielding percentage in her first season as a third baseman.

Huisman, who received honorable mention last year, returned from injury to post a 15-4 record with one save and a 2.09 ERA thus far. She’s struck out 65 batters in 97 innings with 36 walks. She was named the conference pitcher of the week Feb. 27.

Beck was a two-time conference pitcher of the week honoree (March 13, April 7) in her rookie season. She has a 10-3 record with a 2.29 ERA, walking 42 hitters in 98.0 innings and fanning a team-high 99.

Central took a 31-9 record into NCAA Division III tournament play which started Thursday at Pella. The Dutch were 11-5 in conference play under NFCA Hall of Fame coach George Wares.