PELLA — Despite 15 hits, the Central College baseball team couldn't find the runs it needed in a 17-6 loss to the University of Dubuque.
An early 6-2 lead for the Dutch evaporated after the Spartans struck for a six-run seventh inning to go in front 8-6. Dubuque added nine more in the final frame to put the game on ice.
Starting pitcher Mark Kenney (senior, Fennimore, Wis.) scattered eight runs, allowing five earned runs with five strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Five Dutch relievers combined to face 23 batters for the final eight outs, allowing 12 runs to score, six earned.
The bottom half of the Dutch lineup excelled as No.8 hitter Stephen Stufflebeam (junior, left fielder, Macomb, Ill.) recorded four hits while Dom DeLaPaz (senior, catcher, Davenport, West HS) had three from his No. 8 spot. Designated hitter Nathan Scragg (senior, Port Perry, Ontario) had two hits and three RBI from the No. 6 hole.
Despite not recording a hit, Brayden Sawyer (senior, third baseman, Grundy Center) had two RBI with a bases loaded hit by pitch and bases loaded groundout.
All 15 of Central's hits were singles. Dylan Williams (senior, first baseman, Woods Cross, Utah) and Garrett Guenther (senior, shortstop, Grayslake, Ill., Central HS) also added two hits. The Dutch stranded 12 runners on base.
The two teams continue their series with a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.
