PELLA — Trailing 10-2 entering the sixth inning of game two, the Central College baseball team erupted for 18 runs to close out a 20-17 win and earn the split after losing 8-1 in the opener Saturday.
With two runners on and no outs in the bottom of the sixth, catcher Michael Reuter (junior, Monticello) started a rally with a three-run homer. Shortstop Noah Stochl (junior, New Hampton)followed that up with a grand slam later in the inning to close the gap to 10-9.
"Coming around third base, Noah said it was the first home run he's ever had in his life," coach Matt Schirm said. "It was big moment for him to hit his first one."
After the Norse (12-2, 1-1 conf.) scored four runs in the top of the seventh to extend the lead back to 14-9. The Dutch (3-8, 1-1 conf.) offense exploded for 11 runs in the bottom of the inning by sending 15 battlers to the plate and hitting two home runs, three doubles and drawing five walks.
"We kept battling," Schirm said. "We didn't give up despite a tough first game and getting down early in the second game. They kept fighting and luckily we came out on top."
After starting the doubleheader 0-for-5, Reuter had two home runs and a single in his last four at-bats.
"Mike would tell you that he's struggled offensively over the last four or five games," Schirm said. "To see him bust out and have a great day was really good."
In addition to the home runs by Reuter and Stochl, Spencer Gritsch (senior, Brooklyn, Iowa, BGM HS) also hit a home run to give a Central a total of four. With strong winds blowing out to left field, the balls flew off the Dutch bats.
"We knew the wind was going to be factor," Schirm said. "We knew if we got the ball up in the air to left field that they could potentially leave the yard."
Donning a Central uniform for the first time in a varsity game, first baseman Ryan Bouwman (freshman, Bloomington, Ill., Normal HS) made a big debut. He went 4-for-6 with three doubles, scoring four runs while also driving in three runs as well.
"I can't say enough about Ryan," Schirm said. "Today was the first time he's played varsity. He's taken advantage of opportunities in junior varsity games and earned a start today."
In game one's loss, Central had four errors and allowed eight walks and a hit by pitch.
"We just gave up way too many free bases," Schirm said. "That's just a recipe for losing games. If we cut that number in half, it would have been a ballgame into the last two innings."
The teams will continue their four-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. in Pella. With a sweep, either team could register its first series victory of the season.
"Our goal every conference weekend is to win the series," Schirm said. "Despite losing the first game today, we still have a shot to do that."
