Central baseball team sets hits record in shutout win

Central College

TUCSON, ARIZ.—The Central College baseball team had 24 batters reach base via hit in a 17-0 (7 inn.) win over Crown (Minn.) Tuesday at the Tucson Invitational Games.

The hit total tops the previous-best mark of 21 set against Dickinson State (N.D.) March 17, 2011. The Dutch (6-2) also posted their highest run total of the season on Crown (Minn.) (0-9) and scored 10 runs or more for the fourth time in its six-game winning streak.

“We took care of business,” coach Adam Stevens said. “We were ready to play. We have a few more games on spring break and we need to continue to play well.”

Stevens was impressed with sophomore pitcher Matt Schissel (Rock Island, Ill., Alleman HS), who picked up the win after allowing only three hits over 6.0 shutout innings with six strikeouts.

“Matt looked really good,” said Stevens. “He threw strikes, competed well and kept his focus despite the big lead. He’ll gain some confidence from the way he pitched today.”

It was a smorgasbord offensively as Central scored five runs in the fifth inning and six runs in the seventh, capped by senior outfield Thomas Rodamer’s (Wasilla, Alaska, Ames (Iowa) HS) pinch hit grand slam in the closing frame.

Five players tallied at least two hits apiece, led by senior second baseman Adam Ariola’s (Bloomington, Ill., Normal HS) 4-for-5 day with three runs batted in and two runs scored.

Freshman infielder Zach Brown (Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs, while senior shortstop Jordan Judkins (Marshalltown) was 2-for-3 and touched home four times. Playing in his home state, senior outfielder Jake Effron (Glendale, Ariz., North Pointe Prep HS) was 2-for-4, as was senior first baseman Grant Seuferer (Milo, Southeast Warren HS).

The Dutch return to the field for Wednesday’s doubleheader against Marian (Wis.) with first pitch scheduled for 10 a.m. (Pacific Time). The Sabres, who won their first three games in Arizona, are 4-3 overall.