Dutch Split Baseball Doubleheader Behind Strong Pitching
The Central College baseball team ended its six-game losing streak on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader against Wartburg College that was heard live on 92.1 KRLS. The Dutch (11-11, 3-7 American Rivers) won the first game 4-0 but lost in game two 5-4.
In the opening game, starting pitcher Mark Kenney tossed eight shutout innings while collecting a career high 10 strikeouts and only allowing five hits and a walk. The game was 0-0 until the sixth inning, when Jackson Torbit scored on a wild pitch. The Dutch added on in the seventh inning, when Caleb Douglass came through with an RBI single to score Jaden Kramer. Kramer tacked on more insurance for Central with a two RBI double in the eighth inning to end the scoring. Kramer led the team with three hits and Garrett Guenther added two more himself, including a triple. Guenther also scored on Kramer’s double in the eighth. Pitcher Turner Williams came on in the ninth and after a leadoff double, struck out the next three hitters looking to end the losing skid.
In game two, the Dutch went down 1-0 after the first inning, and neither team scored again until the top of the eighth. Central’s Brayden Sawyer drew a one-out walk and scored after Guenther hit his second triple of the day to tie the game at one. In the bottom half of the inning, Wartburg capitalized on two errors from Central and was able to score four runs. Despite being down 4-1, the Dutch didn’t go down easily, as Sawyer and Guenther collected RBIs and Bryer Wiley scored on a passed ball, but the two-out rally ultimately came up short. Sawyer got the start in game two and pitched 7.1 innings allowing seven hits and five runs while striking out eight hitters. At the plate he also had two hits, a walk and two runs scored to go with his RBI.
Central will finish off its series with Buena Vista University on Wednesday, traveling to Storm Lake for a doubleheader starting at 3:30 pm.
Central Men Take Four Titles at Wartburg Track Meet
With six event titles, the Central College men’s and women’s track and field teams had competitive days at the 15-team Wartburg Outdoor Select on Saturday.
Gunner Meyer was among five Dutch men placewinners in the 110-meter hurdles, winning in 14.46 seconds, with Kale Hobart taking second in 14.61. Jack Brown took first in the 1,500 meters (3:56.51), while Lance Bunde was a winner in the high jump (6’ 3.5”), which was moved indoors due to cold, blustery conditions. Kaleb Brand, who joined the team late after helping lead the Dutch men’s basketball team to an NCAA Division III tourney berth, won the 400 meters in 49.62 seconds. He also led off Central’s second-place 4×400-meter relay team, which also included Jrake Van Hemert , Alex Volden, and Gabe Feldmann. Kale Purcell was second in the triple jump at 47’ 7” while William Wadsley placed third in the 3000-meter steeplechase in 9:49.15.
For the Central women, Olivia Bohlen captured the 100-meter hurdles in 14.73 seconds, a time which ranks her 12th in the NCAA Division III. The foursome of Lizzy Van Utrecht, Danika Arnold, Ava Parkins, and Emily McMartin secured the event victory for the Dutch on the day, winning the 4×400-meter relay in 4:02.23. Meanwhile, Alivia Roerdink turned in a career-best time in placing second in the 400 meters in 58.95 seconds. The unit of Mary Gustason, Parkins, Arnold and McMartin also had a top-three finish in the meet, taking third in the 4×100-meter relay in 48.62 seconds.
Central will send several athletes to the Jim Duncan Invitational at Drake University in Des Moines on Friday.
Central Surges to Strong Men’s Golf Finish in Illinois
The weather was colder but the scores were better in a promising showing for the Central College men’s golf team Saturday at the 38-team Illinois Wesleyan Invitational on Saturday.
The Dutch shaved two strokes off their Friday score to tie for 18th at 305-303–608, matching Millikin University (Ill.). Teams endured harsh, chilly winds but Maison Brandt turned in a 2-over-par 74 and finished with 80-74–154. Blake Wynn was Central’s overall top finisher, shooting 73-77–150 to tie for 43rd. Carter Yurgae shot 76-75–151, Kayden Pendergrass shot 76-77–153 and Crew Klingner had 82-79–161. Playing as at-large entrants, Cooper Langfelt shot 81-84–165 and Ethan Gordon shot 81-86–167.
The Dutch make their only spring season home appearance with the Central Shootout Tuesday at 11 am at the par-72 Bos Landen Golf Club.