ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA — A strong offensive start by the Central College baseball team cooled off in a 15-4 loss at Bethel University (Minn.) Saturday afternoon.

The Dutch (11-18 overall) scored two in the first inning and added a tally in the second and third innings but were held off the scoreboard in the final six frames.

"We came out much more focused offensively than we have for the last week or so," coach Casey Klunder said. "We strung some good at-bats together and good things happened early in the game."

After behind held out of Tuesday's doubleheader, first baseman Declan O'Hare (junior, Los Angeles, Calif. John Marshall HS) made an impressive return to the Dutch lineup. He was 3-for-4 with an RBI.

"It's just really nice to have him back," Klunder said. "He drives in runs when he is in there."

Second baseman Lucas Farren (fifth year, Yorkville, Ill.) had two hits and scored two of the team's four runs.

Caleb Evans (junior, Davenport, Central HS) took the loss on the mound, allowing six runs on five hits and two walks in 2.0 innings. Nathan McCombs (sophomore, Treynor) tossed the next five innings, yielding six runs on nine hits while striking out four. Christian Murphy (freshman, Brentwood, Tenn., Brentwood Academy) gave up three runs in the eighth inning.

"Bethel found a lot of barrels today," Klunder said. "They can really swing it. They have dangerous hitters up and down their lineup. Our guys tried to keep them off balance. Nathan did a pretty good job once he got out there and settled things down a little bit."

Central and Bethel will play a pair of seven-inning games starting at noon on Sunday.