Central College baseball team swept by Dubuque
Central College
PELLA — The Central College baseball team lost two heart-breaking games to the University of Dubuque Sunday, 10-9 in 10 innings and 2-1 in seven innings.
Central (5-11 overall, 0-3 Iowa Conference) faced a 3-0 deficit during game one until a five-run second inning overtook the lead. The Dutch surrendered six runs in the following three innings. Four combined runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings tied the game at nine before Dubuque (8-5 overall, 3-0 Iowa Conference) took the lead in the top of the tenth.
In the second game, the Dutch and Spartans were tied at one until the go-ahead run scored in the top of the fifth for the Spartans.
Due to league rules, the second game of the doubleheader was shortened to seven innings.
“I love the fight of our guys,” said coach Matt Schirm. “When we get down, we don’t quit. We are coming up a little short right now. When we typically score nine runs, we’re going to win and when we give up only two runs we’re going to win but it didn’t happen today.”
Sophomore shortstop Garrett Saunders (Bonaparte, Van Buren HS) went 3-for-7 in the doubleheader, including a homerun and two RBIs, senior outfielder Jacob Hirst (Davenport, Assumption HS) went 2-for-7, including a homerun, a triple and drove in three runs and senior outfielder Seth Griffiths (Ottumwa) had three hits in nine plate appearances and stole two bases.
“Our guys were putting together quality at-bats today,” said Schirm.
Freshman pitcher Nicholas Long (Marshalltown, East Marshall HS) received the loss in game one, throwing 4.1 innings, giving up eight runs, seven earned, striking out four batters.
Junior Adam Carey (Pella) threw six innings, giving up two hits, surrendering two runs, walking five batters and striking out eight.
“Adam competed today,” said Schirm. “He worked around the walks that he had and kept us in the game.”
Central returns to the diamond Wednesday at Pella for a single game against Iowa Wesleyan with first pitch at 3:30 p.m.
