Michael Edwards May 9, 2008

Dutch errors prove costly in 7-1 loss to Wartburg

CEDAR RAPIDS—The Central College baseball team could not utilize a first-inning home run to right field by senior first baseman Michael Edwads (Pella) as the Dutch recorded five errors in a 7-1 loss to No. 1-seeded Wartburg College in the Iowa Conference baseball tournament Friday.

No. 6-seeded Central (22-20) takes on either Loras or Coe Saturday at 10 a.m. The winner will go on to face Wartburg (25-12) at 1 p.m.

The Dutch could not overcome Wartburg’s all-American pitcher Aaron Saeugling who threw a complete game, allowing four hits on three strike outs and three walks.

“We faced a very good pitcher today,” said coach Adam Stevens. “We got some good swings but we couldn’t put anything together.”

Central’s other main problems were self-inflicted as the five Dutch errors resulted in two unearned runs against the slick-fielding Knights who did not record an error. Central also grounded into three double plays.

“We just made too many mistakes,” said Stevens. “When you play a good team like Wartburg you can’t make a lot of mistakes. Wartburg did a good job of capitalizing on them and they turned some great double plays.”

On top of Edwards’ homer the Dutch mounted a bases-loaded one-out rally in the seventh but two straight outs ceased any comeback aspirations.

Sophomore pitcher Trevor Talbott (Sioux City, East HS) started for Central and threw 4.1 innings. He allowed eight hits, four earned runs with one strikeout and a walk. He took the loss and his record dipped to 3-4.

“I thought Talbott threw OK, said Stevens. “He gave up a lot of ground balls which is what you want to do against a team like Wartburg."