PELLA, Iowa — Despite strong pitching from pitcher Katie Jo Delisle, the St. Thomas offense struggled to put runs on the board as the softball team fell to Central College 2-1 Sunday in Pella, Iowa, eliminating it from the NCAA tournament.

After a close 5-4 win against Augustana less than an hour earlier, the softball team prepared for a rematch against Central College, its second game against the Dutch in as many days.

Looking for a spark after Saturday’s five-inning defeat, coach John Tschida made the surprise decision to start Delisle in the Tommies’ biggest game of the season.

“When I went out to the bullpen to watch our pitchers warm up, I could see (Delisle) was on,” Tschida said. “Her movement was better than normal, a little more velocity than normal, and I said, ‘she’s looking tough’ … so we went with her.”

Even Delisle said she was surprised to get the start, which was only her second of the season. She was told just five minutes before the team stepped out on the mound.

“My stomach started turning, but I calmed down and just finished practicing my pitches and slowed my breathing down,” Delisle said.

Things looked bleak early for the young pitcher when Central’s lead off batter of the first inning hit a single to shallow left field. Delisle followed up with a balk and a wild pitch, allowing the base runner to make its way to third. Delisle hit the second batter in the head with a pitch, putting runners on the corners for Central.

Despite some first inning jitters, the Tommies got out of the inning only giving up one run.

“My teammates definitely gave me the confidence that I needed. They told me I was out here (on the mound) for a reason, and I just went with it,” Delisle said. “I had faith that if (Central) did get a hit, (my teammates) were there with me.”

However, the Tommies were unable to provide run support for their pitcher.

The 1-4 batters in the St. Thomas lineup went 2-for-10 on the day, and the entire St. Thomas offense went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. The Tommies also struck out three times in five at-bats with runners in scoring position.

Central pitching domination continues

“(Central) is a good team. Their pitcher threw another amazing game,” second baseman Kimmy Hassel said. “You have to have a good pitcher in the playoffs, and they had it. We played a great game, we just couldn’t get those timely hits.”

As the Tommies entered the bottom of the seventh inning trailing 2-0, it seemed like St. Thomas was finally going to break through. Designated player Brenna Walek stepped up to the plate to lead off the inning and pulled a fastball down the left field line and sent it soaring out of the park, cutting the Dutch lead in half.

The next three St. Thomas batters were all put out as Central took the 2-1 victory.

“It’s tough to go out like that,” Hassel said. “It’s such a close game, especially with (Walek) hitting that home run to make it even closer.”

Central pitcher Mallory Schulenberg, who was named Player of the Regional, had four strikeouts and allowed only one run in 5 ⅔ innings of work.

Hassel and catcher Emily Gregory were also selected for the All-Tournament team.

The Tommies finished with an overall record of 41-7.

Tschida said the team is proud of what it accomplished this season and will continue to work on improving in the offseason.

“We did a lot to get here. The kids that are star players for us, they had a lot of work to become the players they are,” Tschida said. “It’s a lot of hard work. Players don’t come in ready to play at this level. It’s a grind to get to this level.”

When asked when the 2014 season begins for St. Thomas softball, Tschida said that preparation begins immediately.

“It starts immediately for me. It doesn’t end. It just goes on until you retire, I guess,” Tschida said. “Our girls will take some time off for finals … but I wouldn’t doubt that you’d see people in the batting cages tomorrow. Our kids, they like softball and they know what it takes to be successful … that’s kind of how they go about their business.”

When asked about her four years as a member of the St. Thomas softball team, Hassel had nothing but praise for her teammates and the coaching staff.

“(Our coaches) give the world up for us, which is really awesome to have at a (Division III) level,” Hassel said. “They just prepare you for the real world, which now unfortunately I have to go into.”

“Coaching, as a player, they prepare you for everything as a well-rounded person,” Hassel said. “It’s a good program. I’m glad I played here.”

Jacob Sevening can be reached at seve8586@stthomas.edu.