PELLA— The Central College baseball team lost 4-3 in a pitching duel against Buena Vista University Thursday.
The game was scheduled for Tuesday but moved due to the weather.
The Beavers (15-5, 7-1 American Rivers) struck first putting up four runs in the opening frame, but after that Central (10-9, 2-5 American Rivers) pitching held Buena Vista scoreless.
Pitcher Bryer Wiley (freshman, Urbana, Center Point-Urbana) made his second career start and pitched six innings, allowing nine hits and four runs while also striking out four hitters.
“I really liked the way that Bryer continued to compete,” coach Adam Carey said. “He started off the game a little jittery, and Buena Vista was able to take advantage in the first inning, but I liked how he settled in. I was proud of the way he continued to come out and compete. He is going to grow a lot from today and we are excited for Bryer in the future.”
As a team, the Dutch had eight hits across the nine innings highlighted by a three-run home run from shortstop Garrett Guenther (sophomore, Grayslake, Ill., Central HS) in the sixth inning. Third base Brayden Sawyer (junior Grundy Center) led the team with two hits, while also scoring a run.
“We have to do a better job of putting together better at bats early in the game,” Carey said. “Once we started communicating, we were able to get to the arms on the mound, but we need to do it earlier in the game, like we did early on in the season.”
Turner Williams (sophomore, Newton) came out of the bullpen in relief of Wiley, and he pitched three perfect innings and collected six strikeouts, including five in a row to open his outing.
“Turner came in and competed like crazy,” said Carey. “He has worked hard the past two years and put himself in position to be a big-time arm for us this year and down the road.”
The Dutch have a quick turnaround as they travel to Waverly to take on Wartburg College for a three-game series starting Friday at 6 p.m.
“We will take what we learned today and use it tomorrow,” Carey said. “We have an immediate opportunity to take advantage of what we learned today, instead of waiting three or four days. It will be a cool environment and we’re looking forward to seeing our guys bounce back the way we expect them to.”
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