Dayton Glasgow April 16, 2008

Young pitchers, timely hitting lead to Central win

PELLA—A pair of freshmen pitched the Central College baseball team to a 4-1 Iowa Conference nine-inning win over Loras College Wednesday.

That gave Central (15-12 overall, 5-6 conference) a 2-1 series win over Loras (11-15 overall, 4-7 conference) after a doubleheader in Dubuque April 1.

“It was a solid conference win,” said coach Adam Stevens. “Winning a conference series is very important.”

Starting pitcher Dayton Glasgow (freshman, Burlington) gave up one unearned run on eight hits with three strikeouts and none walked over six innings to up his record to 4-1. Fellow freshman Kristofer Ozga (Hawthorn Woods, Ill., Stevenson HS) threw the seventh and eighth innings surrendering one hit while striking out one and walking none.

“(Dayton) and Kris are really improving and getting confidence,” said coach Adam Stevens. “They are both very good pitchers and showing it on the mound.”

Junior Adam Squires (Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS) collected his fourth save of the season.

The Dutch had to hold on in the ninth as the Duhawks loaded the bases with one out. Squires, who pitched the entire ninth, forced the next batter into an infield fly and struck out the game’s final hitter.

Despite the nail-biting finish, Stevens was pleased with his squad’s performance.

“We pitched really well and overall made good plays,” he said. “They made some mistakes and we took advantage of those.”

Central took a 4-0 lead after scoring one run in the first, a pair in the second and another in the fourth. The Duhawks plated their lone tally in the sixth.Derek Knutson

The Dutch were lifted by junior left fielder Derek Knutson’s (Richland, Wash., Yorkville, Ill.) impressive all-around day. Knutson went 3-for-4 and made several quality defensive plays, highlighted by a diving catch that likely saved a run.

“Derek made an unbelievable play in left field,” said Stevens. “The wind made it an even tougher play, and in a close game, it was huge.”

Knutson was also the only Central player to record an extra-base hit as the Dutch had 10 singles and did not draw a walk.

“We played small ball well,” said Stevens. “We had some important sacrifice bunts and hits.”

The Dutch take the diamond again Friday when they travel to Decorah to tackle Luther College (9-12 overall, 3-6 conference). The Norse were last season’s co-Iowa Conference champions and won the tournament title. They swept the Dutch 4-2 and 6-3 last year in Pella.