DUBUQUE— The Central College baseball team could not come up with a big inning in a 7-4 defeat against Loras College on Tuesday night.
           
Offensively, Central (17-6, 7-6 American Rivers Conference) had nine hits, including four extra-bases hits. Unfortunately, the Dutch stranded nine total base runners, including seven in the first five innings. Loras (11-11, 5-7 conference) scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth.
           
"We had a lot of chances in the first five innings to blow it open and we didn't take advantage of it," coach Matt Schirm said. "We had runners on bases and threatening to score every inning, we needed to get more out of that."
           
Second basemen Chris Riddle (senior, Omaha, Neb., Mount Michael HS) went 2-for-4 at the plate and scored three of Central's four runs.
           
"Chris had really good at-bats today," Schirm said. "He laid off pitches out of the zone and had a better approach today. It paid off with some good results."
           
Zach Edwards (senior, Des Moines, Lincoln HS) started the game for Central on the mound, giving up three runs in 5.2 innings pitched. He allowed eights hit, but also struck out eight.
           
"He was up in the zone a little bit more than usual," Schirm said. "It caused some more hard contact than usual. He still did a good job and kept us right there in the game."
           
Adam Carey (senior, Pella) took the loss after 1.1 innings of relief.
           
Central is scheduled to open up a three-game series against Luther College on Friday at 3 p.m. in Decorah.
           
"Luther is playing really well now," Schirm said. "Their pitching is really good so we need to get ready for that. Just like every conference series, it's going to be a battle and that's what makes our league fun."