Dutch Baseball Blast Past Knox

Playing in a pair of lopsided affairs, the Central College baseball team finished the day with a 20-3 seven-inning win over Knox College (Ill.). The Dutch (6-4) also played a run-rule shortened contest against Beloit College (Wis.) in its opener, falling 19-2.

Making his first start in center fielder, Max Steinalge hit for the cycle, finishing it off with fifth-inning single. He drove in five runs during his 4-for-4 performance. Pitcher Sam Staley started and went the first six innings in the win, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk. He struck out five. Connor Susman closed the game out with a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Right fielder Colton DeRocher and left fielder Patrick Krapfl each had three hits against the Prairie Fire. DeRocher had his fourth home run and a pair of doubles. In the loss against the Bucs, Declan O’Hare was the losing pitcher, allowing eight hits and eight earned runs. 

The Dutch wrap up their Florida trip today with a 12:15 p.m. game against Stockton University (N.J.).

Central Softball Streak Ends at 11

The #23 Central softball team extended its win streak to 11 games with a 9-1, five-inning victory over RIT (N.Y.) before suffering an eight-inning 9-8 loss to Dickinson College (Pa.) Thursday at the Tucson Invitational Games.

Chloe Dougherty made her first start of the season in the and got the win over RIT. She allowed a run in four innings on five hits with no walks and a strikeout. Carlin Smith made her collegiate pitching debut with a perfect sixth inning. Central had 11 hits, including two from second baseman Haley Bach and right fielder Emma Jensen. The Dutch put the game away with a six-run fifth inning.

Central took a 7-2 lead in the third inning in the nightcap of the doubleheader and appeared to have the game in hand, but it unraveled in the fifth as Dickinson struck for four runs and took the lead with two in the sixth. Emma Beck yielded five runs on five hits with three walks despite striking out nine. Smith was nicked for a run in a third of an inning and Morgan Schaben gave up three runs on two hits with three strikeouts in 2.2 innings. The international tiebreaker rule was employed in the eighth inning and the Dutch went with ace Sydni Huisman. After sacrificing the runner to third base, a Dickinson single brought home the eventual winning run. Central had their potential tying run cut down at the plate.

The Dutch close out their Arizona trip today with a doubleheader against Concordia.