PELLA — A relief pitcher scoring the game-winning run on an RBI single by a pinch-hitter is not a normal end to a baseball game but that's exactly how Central College defeated Nebraska Wesleyan University Tuesday, winning the American Rivers Conference tournament play-in game in the 10th inning.
Central (14-25) advances to the first round of the American Rivers Conference tournament, playing in the Cedar Rapids pod Thursday. The Prairie Wolves end their season at 12-28.
After pitching 2.2 inning of relief, Ryan Riddle (senior, Omaha, Neb., Mt. Michael HS) found himself in a position he had never been in during a varsity game in college. He was scheduled to be the leadoff batter in the bottom of the 10th inning. He was cruising on the mound and did not want to be replaced if the two teams went another inning so he stepped into the batter's box.
"Ryan came here as a two-way player," coach Matt Schirm said. "It's been a while since he's hit in in a game but it's something he's done well in the past so I figured he'd have a competitive at-bat."
Riddle slashed a ball up the middle and shortstop Aaron Nichols misplayed it, allowing him to reach on an error. A sacrifice bunt by third baseman Quinn Miller (junior, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) moved him up to second. Two batters later, Collin Lefeber (senior, Omaha, Neb., Central HS) walked to the plate as a pinch hitter and found a hole beyond the middle infielder's reach to drive in Riddle as their teammates poured out of the dugout to celebrate.
"Over the past few weeks, Collin has been our top pinch hitter and he came through for us again," Schirm said.
Nursing a 6-5 lead with a runner on base in the eighth, the first two batters Riddle faced notched singles and tied the game. He retired the next eight batters on 22 pitches and picked up the win.
"Ryan always has good velocity, but he when he was really good command that's when he becomes dominant," Schirm said.
Marcus Wenzel (senior, Chicago, Ill., Luther College North Prep HS) put together another strong start, striking out five and holding the Prairie Wolves scoreless through the fifth inning.
Central had multi-hit games from Miller, Landon Vander Leest (senior, designated hitter, Pella) and Trevor Kimm (senior, Urbandale). Miller and Jared Kampf (junior, Peoria, Ariz., Mountain Ridge HS) each had a pair of RBI.
"We still need to be better offensively, but today was a step in the right direction," Schirm said. "Being able to put up some runs was big and hopefully we can carry that into the rest of the tournament."
Central, the No. 8 seed, opens the double elimination portion of the tournament against No. 1 Coe College. The contest will start at 2 p.m. from the Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex on the campus of Mount Mercy University. No. 4 Buena Vista University and No. 5 University of Dubuque will also play in Cedar Rapids.
"We took a game from Coe in our series and we were competitive in every single game," Schirm said. "I know this team will be ready to go and give their best effort."
