Pitching gives Dutch two baseball victories
Central Dutch Athletics
LEESBURG, FLORIDA — The pitching staff of the Central College baseball team allowed three runs in 14 innings, netting 3-0 and 5-3 victories against Husson University (Maine) Monday.
Scattering 14 hits, the Dutch (3-1) got great starts from Nick Long (junior, Marshalltown, East Marshall HS) and Rece Martin (junior, Des Moines, Saydel HS). Long struck out four Eagles (1-4) batters in 5.1 innings while allowing six hits and walking two in the opener. In his first career start in game two, Martin struck out seven, walked one and allowed one hit in five innings.
“Our pitcher were really good today,” coach Matt Schirm said. “Nick dealt with some adversity early. He got in a couple of tough spots but got out of them without any damage.
“Rece looked good. He didn’t really have to deal with a lot of adversity.”
Ryan Riddle (sophomore, Omaha, Neb., Mount Michael HS) picked up the save in both games, throwing a combined two innings. He allowed one hit, walked one and struck out one.
Shortstop Garrett Saunders (senior, Bonaparte, Van Buren HS) went 3-for-3 in the second game, including a home run and a double. He scored twice and drove in three.
“He was back to form today,” Schirm said. “He was a little frustrated yesterday, he wasn’t hitting the barrel like he usually does. Every ball he hit in the second game was a rocket. He definitely led our offense today.”
Third baseman Kaiden Fiebelkorn (junior, Brooklyn, BGM HS) and right fielder Tanner Wood (senior, Pella) both had two-hit games in the opener.
Schirm also cited the important of things that doesn’t always show in the box score.
“We did a lot of the little things well,” Schirm said. “In the second game, had a couple of nice sacrifice bunts from (second baseman) Chris Riddle (senior, Omaha, Neb., Mount Michael HS) and (catcher) Blake Wooten (junior, Peoria, Ariz., Centennial HS). We were good in all phases of the game today.”
The RussMatt Central Florida Invitational continues Tuesday with a nine-inning affair against Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio) at 11:30 a.m. in Auburndale.
