Split with Simpson for Central baseball squad
Central Dutch Athletics
INDIANOLA — Needing to improve its stock in the American Rivers Conference standings, the Central College baseball team managed a doubleheader split against Simpson College with a 7-5 win in the nightcap Tuesday night.
Simpson (12-18, 4-14 conference) won the opener 8-2.
“We really needed a win in that second game,” coach Matt Schirm said. “Our guys answered the bell and I was proud of how they responded.”
Following Tuesday’s night action around the conference, Central (19-13, 9-12 conference) is in sixth place in the nine-team league. The top six teams qualify for the American Rivers Conference tournament May 9-11 in Cedar Rapids
The bullpen was impressive in the nightcap, Rece Martin (junior, Saydel) struck out six in 3.0 innings after relieving starter Marcus Wenzel (sophomore, Luther College North Prep) in the 5th inning. Ryan Riddle (sophomore, Omaha, Neb., Mt. Michael HS) got the final six outs to seal the deal and pick up his seventh save.
“All three of those guys did what we needed them to do,” Schirm said. “Rece and Ryan came back on short rest and pitched well.”
Central’s entire starting lineup registered a hit in the second game, including right fielder Tanner Wood’s (senior, Pella) 3-for-4 effort.
“It was good to see him get back on track a little bit,” Schirm said. “He led the charge.”
Wood and Designated hitter Joe Rebik (junior, Marshalltown) each had doubles while senior Coy Moore (center field, Hamilton, Twin Cedars) and Cole Havlovic (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) connected for triples.
“I was especially proud of Cole,” Schirm said. “He came up with a big hit in his first start of the year that extended the lead in the ninth. He deserves opportunity that he gets.”
Starter Adam Carey (senior, Pella) took the loss in the opener, giving up three earned runs on eight hits in 2.2 innings. He struck out two, walked two and gave up six total runs. Central only had five hits in the contest, shortstop Garrett Saunders (senior, Bonaparte, Van Buren HS) had two of them.
“We played really sloppy at the start of the game,” Schirm said. ”Adam didn’t have his best stuff, but we didn’t help him out either.”
Central is off from conference games this weekend, traveling to Monmouth College (Ill.) Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader and hosting Iowa Wesleyan University for two more games on Sunday at noon.
“It’ll be a little more of a relaxed environment as non-conference games,” Schirm said. “We just need to build some momentum going into our final conference series against Nebraska Wesleyan University (on May 3-4). It’s going to be big as far as us getting into the conference tournament.”
