AUBURNDLE, FLORIDA — After an extra-inning defeat in the opener, the Central College baseball team offense couldn't keep pace with Springfield College (Mass.) in a doubleheader sweep Sunday.
In a pair of scheduled seven-inning contests, the Pride (2-0) took a 2-1 victory in eight innings to start the doubleheader. The Dutch (2-6) also fell in the second game 10-2.
"They threw two good pitchers," coach Adam Carey said. "Their starter in the first game is one of the better arms we'll see all year. He's a high velocity guy and his stuff was solid. We got out of our approach in game two. There were some frustrations in the box that carried over from game one into game two."
Central also had a great performance from its game one starting pitcher Declan O'Hare (fifth year, Los Angeles, Calif., John Marshall HS). After giving up a first inning home run, O'Hare allowed just three total hits in 5.0 innings while striking out five and walking none. Reliever Bryce Haessig (sophomore, Huxley, Ballard HS) yielded four hits and one walk while striking out two.
"Declan looked awesome on the mound today," Carey said. "He attacked the zone and pitched with what he had. I was happy with the way Bryce competed. He gave us a shot to win but unfortunately the levee broke in their favor."
In the nightcap, Central had another strong relief outing by Andrew Doyle (senior, Pleasant Valley), who scattered four hits and a walk over 3.1 innings of work giving up one run.
"Doyle looked good on the mound again," Carey said. "He kept us in the game in case our offense was able to crack the code."
Offensively, third baseman Brayden Sawyer (sophomore, Grundy Center) had two hits in the opener and right fielder Colton DeRocher (senior Sioux City, East HS) had a pair in the second game.
The Dutch were coming into the day after a nightmare travel experience on Saturday. After leaving Pella for Chicago at 5 a.m., the Dutch had their flight to Florida cancelled. After being rerouted and subsequent delays, Central didn't land in Florida until midnight. They were stranded on the tarmac until 3 a.m. and did not arrive at their accommodations until 6 a.m.
Central returns to the field tomorrow for a 3:45 p.m. (EDT) contest with Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio).
"Tomorrow is really important," Carey said. "The bounce tomorrow is a big deal for us."
