Central drops baseball doubleheader

Central College

CONWAY, Ark. — Central College sophomore shortstop Garrett Saunders (Bonaparte, Van Buren HS) went 7-for-8, including two doubles, one RBI and scored five runs over the course of two losses (14-8, 4-0) to Hendrix University (Ark.) Friday evening.

Central (1-4) had 15 hits in the opening game of the doubleheader but was held to just two in the nightcap. The Warriors (6-9) collected 18 total hits in the two games, 11 and seven respectively.

Saunders scorched the Warriors in the first matchup, reaching base all five plate appearances and scoring each time.

“Garrett is a really good hitter,” said coach Matt Schirm. “He’s seeing the ball extremely well and that’s what it takes to have a day like today. He’s locked in at the plate and hopefully he continues that.”

Senior catcher Mike Reuter (Monticello) went 2-for-4 with two RBI’s and scored a run, freshman first baseman Tanner Wood (Pella) reached base three times after going 2-for-4 with a walk and drove in two runs and fellow freshman outfielder Joe Rebik (Marshalltown) went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a walk in game one.

Freshman pitcher Nicholas Long (Marshalltown, East Marshall HS) threw six innings, gave up four runs on seven hits, struck out eight but was credited with the loss in game two.

“Nick was really good because he was in the strike zone,” said Schirm. “His first start he wasn’t in the zone as much as he normally is and got back on track today. We just weren’t able to do enough offensively to support him.”

Central gives the ball to sophomore hurler Billy Coppage (West Point, Fort Madison HS) Saturday for the final game of the three-game series with Hendrix.

“Billy’s consistent, he’s one of our hardest workers,” said Schirm. “He’s going to make them earn everything and not give up free bases.”

First pitch for Saturday is slated for 1 p.m. The Dutch will head to Auburndale, Fla. Following the game and begin play in the Russmatt Central Florida Invitational on Monday.