Central baseball squad shuts out Babson

Central College

FORT MYERS, FLA.—Behind eight solid innings from senior Joel Pulliam (Des Moines, Lincoln HS) on the mound the Central College team rapped out 17 hits as the Dutch cruised to a 12-0 win over Babson College (Mass.) Friday in the spring break opener.

Pulliam scattered four hits and struck out seven while walking one. Sophomore Judson McKown (Maple Plain, Minn., Orono HS) worked the ninth inning and gave up one hit.

“Joel was outstanding today,” coach Adam Stevens said. “He had all his stuff working.”

Central posted two runs in the third inning and broke things open with five runs in the fifth. Third baseman Jordan Judkins (sophomore, Marshalltown) led the way at the plate, going 5-for-5 with a triple and scoring four runs. His five hits tie the school record.

“Jordan had a great day,” Stevens said. “He’s a young player that’s been working hard and it certainly showed today. We look for big things from him this year.”

Shortstop Mike Furlong (senior, Davenport, Assumption HS) was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and center fielder Sam Stetzel (junior, Perry) was 3-for-4 driving in two runs and scoring twice. Left fielder Michael Jontz (junior, West Des Moines, Valley HS) and catcher Max Seeman (senior, Panora, Panorama HS) had two hits apiece.

Defensively, the Dutch committed no errors.

“We played good defense behind our pitchers and swung the bats well,” Stevens said. “It was a good start for the week.”

Central (3-1) meets Elms College (Mass.) Saturday at noon in a seven-inning doubleheader. It’s the season opener for the Blazers.