AUBURNDALE, FLA. —  A nine-strikeout performance by starting pitcher Max Steinlage (sophomore, Cedar Falls), propelled the Central College baseball team to a 9-1 win over Mount Saint Joseph University (Ohio) on Monday.

Steinlage gave the Dutch (3-6) six scoreless innings and nine strikeouts. He issued five walks and allowed three hits but kept the Lions (4-6) off the scoreboard.

"He was able to get some swing and miss today," coach Adam Carey said. "Nine strikeouts make for a really good outing for Max."

As a hitter, Steinlage was 0-for-4 but still drove in a pair of runs in support of himself.

It was left fielder Chance Dreyer (sophomore, Davenport, Assumption HS) who came up with the biggest hit of the day with a two-run blast in the sixth inning.

"It's good to have him back after missing the first two weekends," Carey said. "He was a big part of our lineup last year and he'll big a part of our lineup this year as well."

Third baseman Brayden Sawyer (sophomore, Grundy Center) also had a pair of RBI in the win, plating two runners with a first inning double. Dreyer and first baseman Declan O'Hare (fifth year, Los Angeles, Calif., John Marshall HS), each had two hits. Second baseman Nathan Scragg (sophomore, Port Perry, Ontario) came around to score three times.

In relief of Steinlage, Parker Jones (senior, Verona, Wis., Verona Area HS) tossed the seventh and eighth innings and struck out a pair while allowing one hit and one run. Dreyer pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

The Dutch are back on the field at 4 p.m. (EDT) for a nine-inning contest with Emerson College (Mass.)