Central’s baseball season comes to a close
Central College
CEDAR RAPIDS — After defeating Luther College three times during the regular season, the Central College baseball team couldn’t make it a fourth at the Iowa Conference tournament, falling 2-1 Friday morning.
Central finishes the season 20-22, doubling its win total from a year ago.
“I think we improved more than just the 10 wins show,” said coach Matt Schirm. “We were competitive in many more games this year.”
Luther (26-16) jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the first inning before Central tied the game in the fourth inning. The Norse took the lead in the sixth inning with a two-out single to center field.
Freshman Nicholas Long (Marshalltown, East Marshall HS) received the loss, throwing six innings, scattering five hits, allowing two runs, one earned and striking out three.
Senior pitcher Blake Judkins (Marshalltown) relieved Long, throwing two innings, walking one and striking out four.
“Nick threw the ball great today and gave our guys a chance to win,” said Schirm. “I was happy to see Blake finish his career throwing the ball extremely well.”
Senior third baseman Zach Brown (Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) went 2-for-3 with a double and scored the lone Dutch run.
“Zach did a great job squaring the ball up like he has most of the season,” said Schirm.
Seniors Michael Reuter (Monticello) and Jacob Hirst (Davenport, Assumption HS) collected a hit a piece.
Both teams totaled five hits in the pitchers’ duel.
The Dutch bid farewell to six seniors, Brown, right fielder Seth Griffiths (Ottumwa), Hirst, Judkins, second baseman Noah Stochl (New Hampton) and Reuter. Griffiths leaves Central as the all-time leader in stolen bases in a season with 31 this year. The seniors helped lead the program to 80 wins during their careers at Central.
“We will be able to replace the seniors with good players but their leadership is something that will be hard to replace,” said Schirm.
With the graduation of Judkins, Central loses only one pitcher from its staff and will return a former conference pitcher of the year in junior Dylan Diveney (Marshalltown).
“Dylan and junior Adam Carey (Pella) will lead our staff next year,” said Schirm. “It was nice to get our young pitchers experience and more innings which will help them going into next year.”
