PELLA — More late-game heroics from second baseman Chris Riddle (senior, Omaha, Neb., Mount Michael HS) helped the Central College baseball team salvage a doubleheader split against Buena Vista University Saturday afternoon.

Central (16-6, 6-5 American Rivers Conference) won 6-4 in the nightcap after losing 7-2 in the opener against Buena Vista University (12-12, 5-4 conference).

Stepping to the plate with the bases loaded, two outs and the game knotted 3-3, Riddle belted a three-run double to blow the game open for the Dutch. He started the series 0-for-11 at the plate but made his final plate appearance count. Riddle also hit a game-tying home run against Loras on Tuesday.

"Chris has had a knack for coming up with big hits for us this week," coach Matt Schirm said. "Give him credit for sticking with it and not letting his previous at-bats affect his approach."

The Dutch entered the bottom of the eighth trailing 3-1, but scored five runs to take the lead. Riddle had the only hit of the inning as Central took advantage of three hit batsmen, a balk, a throwing error and a sacrifice fly by right fielder Patrick Diemer (sophomore, Waukee) that tied the game.

Central had just 11 hits between the two games, eight of which were credited to either Tanner Wood (senior, Pella) or Ryan Bouwman (senior, first baseman, Bloomington, Ill., Normal HS). Wood had three hits in the opener and two in the finale, while Bouwman had two in the first game.

"Overall, we struggled offensively," Schirm said. "We didn't string together enough quality at-bats. It's tough to win our conference if you're not doing that."

Nathan Schwanke (sophomore, Omaha, Neb., Concordia HS) got the win on the mound after pitching the seventh and eighth innings in relief. Ryan Riddle (sophomore, Omaha, Neb., Mount Michael HS) picked up his sixth save of the year despite allowing a run on two hits.

"I feel really comfortable putting Ryan in for the ninth inning," Schirm said. "He needed to locate a few pitches better. He hasn't blown a save all year which has been good for us."

Tyler Steward (sophomore, Norwalk) suffered the loss in the first game, allowing five runs in three innings. He struck out four and walked two, yielding eight hits.

Central completes a three-game series against Loras College on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Dubuque.