Brett Mahan April 20, 2008

Dutch split at Luther behind Mahan’s gem

DECORAH—Central College senior Brett Mahan’s (West Des Moines, Valley HS) six-hit 8-0 shutout over Luther College Sunday was not matched in the nightcap of the Iowa Conference twinbill as the Dutch fell 7-5.

Mahan went the distance in the opener, striking out four and walking one. He upped his record to 5-2 this season and increased his school-record career wins total to 22.

“Brett looked as good as he’s ever looked,” said coach Adam Stevens. “He had all three pitches going today. It was a big game and we really needed him to pitch well.”

While Mahan was getting the job done on the mound, Central (16-14 overall, 6-8 conference) was productive offensively. Senior first baseman Michael Edwards (Pella) went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored in the opener. He was a combined 4-for-8 on the day and moved into a tie for third place on the all-time career doubles list (37).

“Mike (Edwards) is really swinging it well,” said Stevens. “It is really important for us to have him hitting well in the middle of the lineup.”

Also doing damage at the plate was junior shortstop Jake Jadlowski (Omaha, Neb., Ralston HS), who was a combined 4-for-7 with six RBIs and a run scored. Sophomore catcher Blake Smith (Polk City, North Polk HS) went 3-for-6 with two runs scored on the day.

“We swung it well all weekend,” said Stevens. “I was pretty happy with our approach at the plate, especially in game one today, we hit the ball well off a very good pitcher.”

Anthony BazantIn the opener, the Dutch plated a pair of runs in the third on an Edwards two-bagger, one in the fifth and five in the sixth. In the sixth, sophomore right fielder Anthony Bazant (Omaha, Neb., Ralston HS) had an RBI single with Jadlowski and Edwards each having two-run singles.

The nightcap was a different story as the Norse (11-13 overall, 5-7 conference) plated six runs in the second inning for a 6-1 run advantage. Luther scored another run in the third before Central knocked in four in the fourth getting RBIs from senior second baseman Justin Owens (Milo, Southeast Warren HS) and senior center fielder Aaron Heffernan (Ottumwa) and a two-run single from Jadlowski.

Central starting pitcher Trevor Talbott (Sioux City, East HS) took the loss to drop his record to 3-2. Junior Adam Squires (Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS) relieved Talbott in the second and gave up one run on five hits while striking out three and walking none in 4.1 innings of work.

“Squires came in and did a great job,” Stevens said. “He held them in check and gave us a chance to get back in the game.”

The Dutch are back in action Tuesday when Cornell College (9-10 overall, 4-7 conference) comes to Pella for a nine-inning contest at 3 p.m. at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex field. The Rams took two of three games last season.