PELLA, Iowa - The No. 14-ranked Wartburg College softball team dropped its series finale at Central College Monday afternoon, falling by a score of 9-6.

Wartburg's overall record moves to 19-5 overall and 10-4 within the American Rivers Conference.

Despite earning a 3-0 lead early, the Knights' conceded nine runs on nine Central base hits during the loss.

Wartburg scored three runs in the second inning. A sacrifice fly from Lauren Frerichs batted in the Knights' first run of the game, and added a pair of a wild pitch and a Central error.

Central answered quickly, scoring four runs in the second inning, knocking out Wartburg starting pitcher Ashley Nelson. Madison Hiestand came in to relieve Nelson and lasted two innings while receiving the loss.

The home team scored two runs in each the third and fourth innings along with another in the sixth to claim a 9-4 lead. Tarah Wehde hit her third homer of the season in the sixth. 

Wartburg put together a two-run rally in the seventh on a Frerichs two-RBI single, but Central shut the door with strikeout for the final out.

The Knights won two games versus the Dutch yesterday to secure the series victory, however. Up next, Wartburg heads to Storm Lake, Iowa April 17-18 for a three-game series at Buena Vista University.