Josh Nalan March 16, 2009

Dutch pile-up 36 runs in sweep

FORT MYERS, FLA.—Every starter contributed at the plate for the Central College baseball team Monday in a doubleheader sweep of the Univ. of Minn.-Morris as the Dutch pulled away to 18-4 and 18-1 victories.

Central continued to reach double-digit hits in each of its games in Florida, pounding out 18 in the first game and 16 in the second against Minn.-Morris (0-4 overall).

“Some of our guys had amazing days at the plate,” said Stevens. “But what I’m really happy about today is that our infield defense was as good as it’s been yet and our pitchers keep getting better at competing. We’re just improving all around.”

Freshman Joel Pulliam (Des Moines, Lincoln HS) went 5.2 innings on the mound for the Dutch in game one giving up four runs en route to his first career win and sophomore Curt Mick (Albia) finished the seven-inning game. Junior Josh Nalan (Sheffield, SCMT HS) also got his first career win, giving up one run in fiving earnings of work in the second game to even his season record at 1-1 before sophomore Anthony Miller (Davenport, Assumption HS) closed things out.

Central (4-5 overall) ran out to an early 12-0 lead after three innings in the first game, adding a single run in the fifth and five more in the sixth. Outfielders Ben Tressel (junior, Dubuque, Hempstead HS) and Jarred Lackey (sophomore, Somerton, Ariz., Cibola HS) each went three-for-four at the plate. Tressel crossed the plate five times and Lackey scored four times while driving in four runs.

Shortstop Mike Furlong (freshman, Davenport, Assumption HS) and catcher Quinn O’Brien (senior, Carroll, Kuemper HS) each had a pair of hits. Senior first baseman Derek Knutson (Richland, Wash., Yorkville (Ill.) HS) made his one hit count, blasting a home run over the 400-foot sign in center field.

The Dutch didn’t quite get off to the same hot start in game two but torched the Cougars for 11 runs in the top of the sixth to put it out of reach. Tressel and Lackey notched another three hits each, upping their Monday totals to six apiece, while Knutson added two more hits and drove in four runs. Freshman infielder Tyler Wivinis (Downers Grove, Ill., South HS) also had three hits.

“One of the things we always want to do over spring break is get a lot of guys some playing time,” said Stevens, “and today we were able to get a lot of guys quite a bit of action, and it gives us a chance to really get a look at some of these young guys.

“Now we just hope to have another good day tomorrow and leave Florida with a .500 record.”

The Dutch will conclude their spring break trip in Florida tomorrow with a single game against Plattsburg State (N.Y.) at 9 a.m. Eastern time. Plattsburgh State is 5-3 this season after being swept in a doubleheader by Bethel (Minn.) on Monday.