Big flies give Dutch win in baseball opener
Central Dutch Athletics
AUBURNDALE, FLORIDA — Seven extra-base hits helped the Central College baseball team blow out Martin Luther College (Minn.) 15-2 in the season opener Sunday afternoon.
The Dutch (1-1) dropped the night cap against the Knights (1-5) 3-2.
Right fielder Tanner Wood (senior, Pella) struck first with a two-run bomb before first baseman Ryan Bouwman (senior, Bloomington, Normal HS) matched him two batters latter to give Central a 4-0 lead in the top of the first.
“Those two home runs helped calm those first game jitters,” coach Matt Schirm said. “We grabbed control of that game pretty early. It allowed us to settle down.
The explosive offense continued as left fielder Joe Rebik (junior, Marshalltown) and shortstop Garrett Saunders (senior, Bonaparte, Van Buren HS) each had triples. Designated hitter Jon Roozeboom (junior, Waukee HS) had two doubles and second baseman Chris Riddle (senior, Omaha, Neb., Mount Michael HS) had one.
Lefty Adam Carey (senior, Pella) got the win, going 4.1 innings with four strikeouts and allowing just one hit. He did walk five batters and hit one in his first start since 2017
“He pitched well, especially for his first time back in a few years,” Schirm said. “He allowed a few more free bases than we’d like but he was able to battle through those. I was happy with his outing.”
In the loss Central had seven hits but only Wood’s first-inning single drove in any runs, knocking both of Central’s tally across the plate.
Getting the game two start, Zach Edwards (junior, Des Moines, Lincoln HS) struck out six, but gave up all three runs in the first five innings to take the loss. He was replaced by Nathan Schwanke (sophomore, Omaha, Neb., Concordia HS) who also struck out six in just two innings of relief.
The second doubleheader of the season will be Monday against Husson University (Maine), starting at 10:30 a.m. (EST) in Leesburg, Florida.
“They are picked to win their conference,” Schirm said. Traditionally, they’ve been a pretty good team. They’ll be a solid opponent. It’ll definitely be a challenge for us tomorrow.”
