March 29, 2008

Buena Vista quiets Dutch bats

PELLA—After scoring 15 runs in Friday’s game, the Central College baseball team’s bats were quieted by Buena Vista Saturday as the Dutch were swept in a doubleheader 3-0 and 11-4.    

Central (8-9 overall, 3-3 Iowa Conference) mustered a mere 11 hits with only two of them going for extra bases in the two games. Buena Vista (7-5 overall, 2-1 conference) had 19 hits with five going for extra bases.

The Dutch stranded a combined 16 baserunners in the twin bill.

“It’s kind of mind-boggling to get shut out with the way we hit the ball yesterday,” said coach Adam Stevens. “But that’s kind of the way we’ve been. We’ve got to figure out a way to be more consistent offensively.”

In the first game senior pitcher Brett Mahan (West Des Moines, Valley HS) threw a solid six innings, allowing six hits and 3 runs while striking out six and walking three.

“He battled,” said Stevens. “He worked out of some tight jams. He didn’t have his best stuff but he fought hard.”

Caleb RangelBuena Vista’s Christian Dekker held the Dutch scoreless over seven innings and scattered four hits. He struck out five and walked three.

While the first game was a classic pitchers’ duel, the second was a trying time for Central’s pitchers. They combined to surrender 10 earned runs in the seven-inning contest.

The Dutch started well as they took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third inning with a two-run double by junior catcher Derek Knutson (Richland, Wash., Yorkville, Ill. HS) being the key hit. But the Beavers countered with 6 runs in the bottom of the frame.

“We jumped up 3-1 and I liked our chances,” said Stevens. “But they scored six runs in about 2 minutes. They were finding holes all day long.”

The Beavers added to their tally with 2 runs in both the fourth and sixth innings to stave off any Dutch rally aspirations.

Stevens acknowledged the importance of the upcoming games.

“I told the guys that next week will tell the tale of the season,” he said. “Even though some of the games are non-conference games, it’s important that we play well and set the tone for the rest of the year.”

The Dutch travel to Dubuque Tuesday for a doubleheader with Loras College. The Duhawks are 8-9 overall and 1-2 in conference action. Last season the Dutch were 1-3 against the Duhawks. Loras ended Central’s 2007 campaign with a 3-2 win in the Iowa Conference tournament.