PELLA — A seventh-inning wild pitch allowed Lucas Farren (senior, second baseman, Yorkville, Ill.) to scamper home for a 5-4 Central College baseball win over Coe College Saturday afternoon, salvaging a split in the doubleheader.
Coe (5-2, 1-1 American Rivers Conference) won the first game 2-1 over the Dutch 3-3 (1-1 ARC)
Central had a 4-2 lead entering the top of the seventh inning before Coe rallied to tie it 4-4 heading to the bottom of the inning. A leadoff walk put Farren on first and then a sacrifice bunt by left fielder Jared Kampf (junior, Peoria, Ariz., Mountain Ridge HS) moved him up to second base. The first of two wild pitches advanced Farren to third before he scurried him for the walk-off win on a second wild pitch.
"I told the guys it was exciting, but next time let's just finish it off in the top of the seventh," coach Matt Schirm said. "We'll take a win any way we can get it."
Ryan Riddle (senior, Omaha, Neb., Mount Michael HS) pitched the first 6.1 innings, striking out six, walking three and allowing four runs (three earned runs). Landon Thiele (sophomore, Moline, Ill.) was the winning pitcher after inducing a pair of fly outs to end the seventh inning.
"Ryan did great," Schirm said. "He did everything we asked him to do. That's the deepest we've taken him into a game so far this year as we've been building his pitch count. He was getting tired there the last couple of innings but I'm really proud of the way he battled all day."
Central got a pair of hits and two RBI from Kampf in the second game. Landon Vander Leest (junior, right fielder, Pella) chipped in with two hits in game two, scoring once.
"Our guys battled at the plate," Schirm said. "There was really good pitching on both sides. It took us a while to make some adjustments and figure it out. Our guys just kept fighting and we were able to put more quality at-bats together at the end of that second game."
In game one, Central got a great start from pitcher Marcus Wenzel (senior, Luther College North Prep). He struck out six batters in 7.0 innings, scattering five hits. He tossed six scoreless innings after giving up one in the first frame. Kurby Vowels (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) took the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the 8th.
First baseman Jon Rozeboom (senior, Waukee) provided the offense in the opener with a solo home run in the sixth. He also had a second-inning double.
Central and Coe continue their four-game series with a Sunday afternoon doubleheader at 1 p.m.
"For the guys to respond after a tough loss in game one to win game two in dramatic finish," Schirm said. "We've still got a chance to win the series if we win both tomorrow. We're excited for that opportunity."
