PELLA — A ninth-inning rally came up short for the Central College baseball team dropping the opener of a three-game series with Iowa Conference foe Coe College 7-5 Friday.

Central (10-12 overall, 2-4 conference) held a 3-1 lead into the eighth inning before Coe (13-6 overall, 6-3 conference) scored four runs and added two more in the ninth. The Dutch plated two runs and had two runners threatening but could not get the timely hit.

"We saw a lot of good things but we didn't execute enough to win," said coach Matt Schirm. "The momentum changed in the eighth inning."

Junior pitcher Dylan Diveney (Marshalltown) threw five innings, giving up one run, striking out five batters and walking one.

"He looked great that's what we're used to seeing from him," said Schirm. "It was good to see him perform that way today."

Freshman Rece Martin (Des Moines, Saydel HS) received the loss after throwing 0.2 innings, giving up four hits, surrendering four runs and walking one.

Junior first baseman Ryan Garrett (Aledo, Ill., Mercer County HS) led the Dutch with two hits in three plate appearances, including a double and drove in one run, senior third baseman Zach Brown (Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) went 2-for-4 and scored two runs and senior second baseman Noah Stochl (New Hampton) went 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.

Both teams avoided crisis in the seventh inning, in the top-half the Kohawks loaded the bases with no one out, however the Dutch recorded three-straight outs. In the bottom-half, Central loaded the bases and could not scratch home a run.

The two teams continue the three-game series Saturday with first pitch at 1 p.m. Central looks to balance its overall and league record.