Central baseball team pounds Knox, 16-1

Central College

FORT MYERS, FLA.—Erupting for eight runs in the fifth inning, the Central College baseball team outslugged Knox College (Ill.) 16-1 Wednesday afternoon.

The game was shortened to seven innings because of Central’s 10-run margin. The Dutch, who split a pair of games with the Prairie Fire (2-2) earlier this season, improved to 7-2 overall.

Shortstop Mike Furlong (senior, Davenport, Assumption HS) had three hits, including a double. He drove in four runs and scored twice. Left fielder Michael Jontz (junior, West Des Moines, Valley) had two hits and two RBIs and scored three times. Catcher Max Seeman (senior, Panora, Panorama) also had two hits and scored once.

“Everybody had good days today,” coach Adam Stevens said. “It was nice to see our players come back strong after a close loss yesterday.”

Central jumped on top with two runs in the first and five in the second. The Dutch added a tally in the third and Knox responded with a run in the top of the fourth. But Central ran away with the victory with eight runs in the fifth.

The Dutch outhit Knox 14-4 and capitalized on six Prairie Fire errors.

“We put pressure on their defense and took advantage of their mistakes,” Stevens said.

Meanwhile, starting pitcher Joel Pulliam (senior, Des Moines, Lincoln HS) gave up one run, scattering four hits in six innings. He struck out eight and walked none. Senior Bret Bell (Jewell, South Hamilton HS) had two strikeouts and gave up no hits in the seventh.

“Joel pitched well, just like he has all year,” Stevens said.

Central takes on Denison University (Ohio) Thursday at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). The Big Red are 3-6 overall.