PELLA — Limited to just two runs in 16 innings, the Central College baseball team was beaten 5-0, 7-2 by Coe College Sunday afternoon.

Central falls to 3-5 overall (1-3 American Rivers Conference) while Coe moves to 7-2 (3-1 conference). The Kohawks outhit the Dutch 17-4 on the day.

"Coe hit the ball well and we did not," coach Matt Schirm said. "We also had a few hard-hit outs but we just did not have enough consistent hard contact."

Trevor Kimm (senior, catcher, Urbandale) contributed two of the team's four hits on the day, and his batted ball in game two resulted in Kohawk error and a fifth-inning run.

"It was good to see him get back on track a little bit," Schirm said. "With him catching all four games this weekend, it says a lot about his conditioning and persistence for him to hit like that in the final game."

Game one's starting pitcher Landon Vander Leest (junior, Pella) struck out five in five innings, allowing just two hits. Only one of the three runs he allowed were credited as earned in a loss.

"Landon did really well," Schirm said. "He kept us in the game. I was happy with how he competed."

Nathan Schwanke (senior, Omaha, Neb., Concordia HS) was the losing pitcher in game two, giving up five runs in the first three innings. Relievers Kurby Vowels (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) and Landon Thiele (sophomore, Moline, Ill.) allowed two scores in the final six frames.

Now Central travels to Waverly for a weekend series with Wartburg College, starting with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

"Our goal is to win every series and we fell short this weekend," Schirm said. "It's a long season and we've got seven more opportunities. We just need to stay positive and keep getting better."