Dutch finish Florida trip with baseball split
Central Dutch Athletics
AUBURNDALE, Fla. — A two-week trip to Auburndale, Fla. wrapped up Friday afternoon for the Central College baseball team with a split against Mount St. Joseph (Ohio), winning game one 5-4 before falling 11-0 in the finale.
Central (9-5) fell trailed 4-2 heading into the fifth inning until junior shortstop Garrett Saunders (Bonaparte, Van Buren HS) sent a two-run home run over the fence in left center field to tie the game. Junior right fielder Tanner Wood (Pella) drove in the winning run on a fielder’s choice with junior outfielder Coy Moore (Hamilton, Twin Cedars HS) scoring from third base.
Central had just four hits in the seven-inning affair but the Dutch drew six walks.
Dutch starting pitcher Dylan Diveney (Marshalltown) threw four innings, allowing four hits, surrendering four runs, three earned and striking out a pair. Sophomore Zach Edwards (Des Moines, Lincoln HS) relieved Diveney, throwing three innings, allowing one hit, striking out three and earning the win.
The Dutch bats were quieted in game two, tallying just three hits with one hit a piece from senior Dan Weir (Leon, Central Decatur HS), junior Chris Riddle (Omaha, Neb., Mount Michael HS) and freshman Anthony Fumagalli (Plainfield, Ill., North HS).
Sophomore Nick Long (Marshalltown, East Marshall HS) suffered the loss, allowing eight runs in two innings.
Central begins Iowa Conference play Friday with a trip to Dubuque for a three-game series against the University of Dubuque with a nine-inning tilt beginning at 3 p.m. Friday and a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m. The Spartans swept the season-series a year ago.
