AUBURNDALE, Fla. — The Central College baseball team utilized a program record nine doubles in an 18-6 thrashing over Saint Vincent University (Pa.) Tuesday at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.
Central (3-2) started the game fast with an RBI single by junior first baseman Ryan Bouwman (Bloomington, Ill., Normal HS) in the first inning. After falling behind after a two-run homerun in the bottom of the first, the Dutch broke the game open in the third inning with a four-run inning.
"I was really happy with the way we played today," said coach Matt Schirm. "We were able to come back and respond to their runs."
Bouwman had four hits, including a double while driving in three runs.
"Ryan does a great job of not getting himself out," said Schirm. "He puts together great at-bats and seems to always hit the ball hard."
Junior shortstop Garrett Saunders (Bonaparte, Van Buren HS) went 3-for-5, including a pair of doubles and drove in three runs.
"Garrett has done a great job of progressing and keeps getting better," said Schirm. "Today he hit a double to right-center field which shows he's progressed."
Bouwman, Saunders (two), Tanner Wood (Pella), Nick Strysik (Crest Hill, Ill., Lockport Township HS), Trevor Kimm (Urbandale) (two), Joe Rebik (Marshalltown) and Kaiden Fiebelkorn (Brooklyn, BGM HS) helped set the school record nine doubles.
"We had a lot of guys hit the ball hard today," said Schirm. "We had a lot of guys throughout the lineup that provided us with depth."
Freshman hurler AJ Pierce (Ankeny, Centennial HS) received his first career start, throwing 3.2 innings, allowing five runs, walking five, striking out one and giving up three hits. Pierce's demeanor drew praise from Schirm.
"AJ has done a great job for us throughout the fall and so far this spring but he faced a little adversity today with his walks," said Schirm. "When I went to talk with him he was poised and kept battling."
Picking up his first win on the season, Rece Martin (Des Moines, Saydel HS) relieved Pierce, throwing 3.1 innings, surrendering four hits, allowing one run and striking out four.
"Rece has been dealing with a bit of an injury so far this spring so we haven't been able to get his pitch count as high as we would have liked yet but he threw a great game today," said Schirm. "Rece was all-around the zone today and I'm excited about his progression."
Central continues invitational play Wednesday with a matchup against Montclair State (N.J.) with first pitch at 4:45.
