Kris Hughes of Central (Iowa) experienced the perfect ending to her senior season with a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead her team to a 5-3 win over Salisbury in the Division III Softball Championship game May 20 in Salem, Virginia.

The championship is the fourth for the Dutch and the first since 1993. This was Central's 18th consecutive year in the championship bracket.

Play was delayed several times during championship week by storms, which caused the tournament format to be altered. Central worked its way through the loser's bracket, winning five straight games to earn the title. The Dutch had to beat Salisbury, which entered the final day as the only undefeated team left in the bracket, twice.

"At the time (of the rain delays), we were frustrated, but I knew that it was probably to our advantage," said Central head coach George Wares. "We had a day to recover. We knew we needed to win the game -- we had to win the first game (against Salisbury) to have a shot."

"It was awesome," Hughes said of the dramatic finish. "I can't describe the feeling and I know of no better way to finish off my senior season. It was a great feeling to see coach when I passed third. I was simply looking for a pitch to hit."

In addition to Hughes' heroics at the plate, Central also relied on Holly Edwards, who was 2-for-2 with a run scored, and Kate Garland, who was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Bri Kuyper also went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

The championship was the first win for freshman pitcher Amanda Wilson. Central's Libby Hysell earned her third save of the year, pitching three innings, giving up one run on four hits and striking out three.

Lacey Lister took the loss for Salisbury, throwing five innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and walking two. Katie Mullinix pitched the final inning, allowing one hit and striking out two.

Championship summary

Regionals

At Emory -- Emory & Henry 7, Millsaps 5; Methodist 12, Mt. St. Joseph 0 (5 inn.); Emory 3, Emory & Henry 1; Millsaps 7, Mt. St. Joseph 2; Emory 5, Methodist 2; Millsaps 4, Emory & Henry 0; Methodist 10, Millsaps 5; Emory 8, Methodist 3.

At Ill. Wesleyan -- Wis.-Whitewater 6, Fontebonne 3; Chicago 4, Washington (Mo.) 1; Ill. Wesleyan 2, Wis.-Whitewater 1; Fontbonne 4, Washington (Mo.) 0; Ill. Wesleyan 4, Chicago 2; Wis.-Whitewater 5, Fontbonne 3; Chicago 6, Wis.-Whitewater 3 (11 inn.); Ill. Wesleyan 3, Chicago 2 (11 inn.).

At Muskingum -- Wittenberg 3, Cabrini 2; Alma 7, Bethany (W.Va.) 0; Muskingum 10, Wittenberg 2 (5 inn.); Cabrini 3, Bethany (W.Va.) 2; Muskingum 2, Alma 1 (14 inn.); Cabrini 10, Wittenberg 3; Alma 7, Cabrini 2; Muskingum 6, Alma 1.

At Pacific Lutheran -- Cal Lutheran 5, Chapman 4 (8 inn.); Central (Iowa) 5, East Tex. Baptist 1; Pacific Lutheran 4, Cal Lutheran 2; Chapman 1, East Tex. Baptist 0; Central (Iowa) 2, Pacific Lutheran 1 (8 inn.); Cal Lutheran 3, Chapman 0; Pacific Lutheran 12, Cal Lutheran 5; Central (Iowa) 2, Pacific Lutheran 0.

At Ramapo -- Muhlenberg 4, Hunter 1; Moravian 10, Merchant Marine 3; Ramapo 7, Muhlenberg 5; Moravian 3, Salisbury 2; Salisbury 8, Hunter 0 (5 inn.); Muhlenberg 6, Merchant Marine 5 (12 inn.); Moravian 9, Ramapo 4; Salisbury 3, Muhlenberg 0; Salisbury 4, Ramapo 0; Salisbury 3, Moravian 2; Salisbury 9, Moravian 2.

At Cortland St. -- Wm. Paterson 5, Elms 1; Ithaca 7, King's (Pa.) 3; Cortland St. 3, Wm. Paterson 2; Ithaca 5, Union 4; Union 8, Elms 0; Wm. Paterson 2, King's (Pa.) 0; Cortland St. 4, Ithaca 3; Union 3, Wm. Paterson 1; Union 7, Ithaca 3; Cortland St. 3, Union 1.

At Wartburg -- Clarke 2, Marian (Wis.) 1; Lake Forest 6, Wartburg 1; Gust. Adolphus 10, Clarke 2 (5 inn.); Wartburg 12, Marian (Wis.) 1 (5 inn.); Lake Forest 2, Gust. Adolphus 1 (9 inn.); Wartburg 3, Clarke 0; Wartburg 1, Gust. Adolphus 0; Wartburg 6, Lake Forest 1; Wartburg 1, Lake Forest 0.

At Wheaton (Mass.) -- Western New Eng. 1, Keene St. 0; Endicott 2, Fitchburg St. 1; Western New Eng. 5, Tufts 0; Wheaton (Mass.) 5, Endicott 4; Keene St. 4, Endicott 0; Tufts 3, Fitchburg St. 1; Western New Eng. 3, Wheaton (Mass.) 1; Keene St. 3, Tufts 2 (10 inn.); Wheaton (Mass.) 6, Keene St. 2; Western New Eng. 2, Wheaton (Mass.) 1.

Finals

Game No. 1

Marcie Bruder and Michelle Boss; Libby Hysell, Corrie Schmidt (4), Amanda Wilson (7) and Stef Miller. W -- Schmidt. L -- Bruder.

Game No. 2

Stephanie Adamshick and Jill Seymour; Lacey Lister and Kim Rementer. W -- Lister. L -- Adamshick.

Game No. 3

Kelly Murray and Kat Mason; Morgan Martin, Erica Hoyt (3), Mindy Nash (3) and Jenn Feldkircher, Jackie Props. W -- Murray. L -- Martin.

Game No. 4

Stephanie Rasmussen and Renae Vomacka; Nicole Kovski, Christine O'Brien (7) and Sherri Rauenzahn. W -- Kovski. L -- Rasmussen.

Game No. 5

Marcie Bruder and Michelle Boss; Stephanie Adamshick and Jill Seymour. W - Adamshick. L - Bruder.

Game No. 6

Erica Hoyt, Morgan Martin (6) and Jackie Props; Kelly Watkins, Stephanie Rasmussen (2) and Heather Winter. W -- Rasmussen. L -- Martin.

Game No. 7

April Miller, Libby Hysell (1), Corrie Schmidt (3) and Stef Miller; Lacey Lister and Kim Rementer. W -- Lister. L -- Miller.

Game No. 8

Nicole Kovski, Christine O'Brien (2) and Sherri Rauenzahn; Kelly Murray and Kat Mason. W -- Murray. L -- O'Brien.

Game. No. 9

Kelly Watkins, Stephanie Rasmussen (4) and Heather Winter; Libby Hysell, April Miller (7) and Stef Miller. W -- Hysell. L -- Watkins.

Game No. 10

Christine O'Brien and Sherri Rauenzahn; Stephanie Adamshick, Lara Almansberger (2) and Jill Seymour, Erin Bock. W -- O'Brien. L -- Adamschick.

Game No. 11

Lacey Lister and Kim Rementer; Kelly Murray, Ellen Furr (6), A.J. Reeley (10) and Kat Mason. W -- Lister. L -- Furr.

Game No. 12

Libby Hysell, April Miller (7) and Stef Miller; Nicole Kovski and Sherri Rauenzahn. W -- Hysell. L -- Kovski.

Game No. 13

A.J. Reeley, Alesia Perry (4), Ellen Furr (5) and Kat Mason; April Miller, Corrie Schmidt (3) and Stef Miller. W -- Miller. L -- Reeley.

Game No. 14

Libby Hysell and Stef Miller; Lacey Lister and Kim Rementer. W -- Hysell. L -- Lister.

Championship game

E -- Kuyper, Wares, Schmidt. DP -- Salisbury 1. LOB -- Salisbury 8; Central (Iowa) 3. HR -- Hughes 3. SH -- Garland, Ellzy, Kim Rementer. SF -- Mullinix, Ruest. SB -- Peterson. CS -- Peterson.

WP -- Lister. PB -- Kim Rementer, Stef Miller. T -- 1:48. Attendance -- 487.