Simpson quiets Central offense
Central College
INDIANOLA—The Central College offense managed to score only one run against a pair of complete-game pitching performances in a doubleheader at Simpson College Tuesday as the Dutch were swept 9-1 and 3-0.
Central has tallied just one run over its last 21 innings of play.
“We’re really struggling offensively and when that happens, it leaves you absolutely no margin for err,” coach Adam Stevens said. “That’s the way it’s been going lately.”
The Dutch looked for an offensive turnaround in the opener when the squad posted a run in the first inning. Designated hitter Caleb Rangel (senior, Rock Island, Ill., Alleman Catholic HS) doubled to left center and stole third before crossing the plate on a throwing error. Despite recording six more hits in the game, Central remained scoreless.
Simpson manufactured a three-run second inning, advancing on two wild pitches and a throwing error. The Storm tacked on five runs in the third and added a tally in the sixth.
Junior Joel Pulliam (Des Moines, Lincoln HS) started for the Dutch, pitching 2.2 innings and giving up eight runs on nine hits. He was followed by senior D.J. Glasgow (senior, Burlington), who gave up one run on two hits in 3.1 innings.
The Dutch bats were muted in game two as Central had just four hits and no runs off Simpson pitcher Chris Dorff. The Storm (14-5, 7-0 conference) scored all three runs in the sixth inning.
Sophomore starter Michael Jontz (West Des Moines, Valley HS) held off the Simpson attack, yielding six hits and two runs in five innings while striking out three.
“Jontz threw really well,” Stevens said. “He kept us in the game. We just couldn’t find a way to get some runs across early in the game and it ended up costing us.”
Junior Bret Bell (Jewell, South Hamilton HS) followed Jontz and gave up one hit and one run.
Although the offense was lacking, Stevens is hopeful with the defensive effort he saw.
“We made some really nice plays, especially in the second game, that kept us in it,” he said. “We hadn’t been playing good defense so maybe that’s a good sign as we move forward.”
The Dutch (12-8, 3-5 conference) begin a five-game home series Saturday, tackling Washington Univ. (Mo.) in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex. With an eight-game winning streak, the Bears are 19-11 overall with a 3-3 league mark.
“The best thing is that we have three practices now and then three non-conference games as we try to find our way back,” Stevens said.
Saturday’s games will be aired on KRLS-FM (92.1) and www.kniakrls.com with Eric Gotschall. The broadcast will also be part of a video webstream available at www.central.edu/athletics.
