Bats stay hot for Central baseball squad victory
JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS — Pounding out a season-high 15 hits, the Central College baseball team rolled to a 13-2 win over MacMurray College (Ill.) Sunday afternoon.
The win gives Central the series victory over the Highlanders (3-7) after splitting Saturday’s double header and evened the season record at .500 for Central (3-3).
Freshman designated hitter Garrett Finley (DeWitt, Central DeWitt HS) continued to shine with a four-hit performance, giving him seven total hits in two games this season. Left fielder Joe Rebik (senior, Marshalltown) added three hits, including a double, and 3 RBIs.
“Finley and Rebik both had great approaches at the plate today,” assistant coach Tyler Willis said. “They both came up big in important situations.”
Starting pitcher Ryan Riddle (senior, Omaha, Neb., Mount Michael HS) struck out five in 5.1 innings of work, allowing just two runs. Relievers Tyler Steward (junior, Norwalk) and Kyle Wright (junior, Manchester, West Delaware HS) combined to allow just one more run during the remaining eight outs.
“Riddle gave us a great start and was consistently in the zone,” Willis said. “He was able to throw multiple pitches for strikes.”
Leadoff man and second baseman, Lucas Farren (junior, Yorkville, Ill.), had a pair of doubles. Center fielder Cole Havlovic (senior, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) had a two-hit game of his own while driving in a pair of runs.
Shortstop Kyle Hauser (junior, Poplar Grove, Ill., Belvidere North HS) and right fielder Pat Diemer (junior, West Des Moines, Waukee HS) both finished the game with a pair of RBIs.
Willis was in charge of the team as head coach Matt Schirm was away after a death in his family.
The Dutch head to Florida next weekend for nine games over spring break. The trip begins with a doubleheader against Keuka College (N.Y.) at Noon (EST) in Winter Haven.
