Edwards leads Dutch to baseball split with Wartburg
Central Dutch Athletics
WAVERLY — Pitching was at a premium Saturday as the Central College baseball team split with Wartburg College, falling 3-1 in the opening game and triumphing 3-2 in the nightcap.
Sophomore pitcher Zach Edwards (Des Moines, Lincoln HS) earned the victory in game two, throwing nine innings, scattering nine hits, allowing two runs, walking one and striking out six hitters. With the win, Edwards improves to 4-3 on the season.
“Zach was really good today,” said coach Matt Schirm. “He gave us the performance that we really needed.”
Central (16-18, 7-11 Iowa Conference) jumped out to a 1-0 lead after sophomore right fielder Tanner Wood (Pella) reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring sophomore backstop Trevor Kimm (Urbandale).
Wartburg (21-10, 12-5 Iowa Conference) tied the game in the fourth inning. The Dutch scratched across two runs in the sixth inning after an error and a wild pitch from the Knights.
Sophomore left fielder Joe Rebik (Marshalltown) was 3-for-5 in the nightcap, junior center fielder Coy Moore (Hamilton, Twin Cedars HS) was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a walk and senior designated hitter Kyle Crampton (Omaha, Neb., Millard South HS) was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
“Kyle is swinging a hot bat right now and it’s a credit to his hard work,” said Schirm. “Joe has been one of our most consistent hitters all year and his hits today weren’t cheap one, they were hit hard. Coy brings so much to our team. His defense has been great all year and has started to hit lately.”
Central mustered just three hits in the opening game with two coming from Kimm and the other from Crampton.
Wood started the first game, throwing seven innings, allowing an unearned run and scattering five hits.
“Calling pitches for Tanner today was easy because he hit all of his spots,” said Schirm. “Tanner pounded the zone today and it was great to see him throw seven strong innings.”
The Dutch head to Cedar Rapids Wednesday for a twinbill with Coe College. First pitch of the rescheduled doubleheader is at 1 p.m. Central sits seventh in the Iowa Conference standings and the top six teams qualify for the league tournament. Loras College (21-13, 10-9) and Buena Vista University (12-18, 8-9) are ahead of Central. Buena Vista and Loras square off Wednesday in a single game before Central gets a three-game homestand with Loras to finish the season.
“This is where it gets fun,” said Schirm. “Everyone is trying to get to that conference tournament. I feel like we’re gaining steam at the right time and I think we’re excited for what next week brings.”
