PELLA—The Central College defense got itself out of three two-out, bases-loaded jams to edge past Loras College 4-3, completing a three-game Iowa Conference baseball sweep Sunday afternoon.

Sophomore hurler Ryan Goetzinger ended two of the Duhawks' threats with strikeouts in the first and fourth innings. Goetzinger recorded a career-best 10 strikeouts while scattering nine hits and walking three in 5.1 innings to improve to 3-0.

Central struck early, posting a run in the second inning as a single from center fielder Sam Stetzel drove in second baseman Ryan Allison. The Dutch added two more in the third. Catcher Josh Stanton drove in right fielder Jarred Lackey before scoring off a single from left fielder Adam Ariola.

Both teams scored in the fourth inning before Loras put up two runs in the top of the sixth to come within one. The Duhawks staged a comeback in the eighth inning, loading the bases off two Central errors, but the Dutch landed a double play to end the inning and maintain the lead.

"We really found a way to get out of tough situations today," coach Adam Stevens said. "I told the players we've got to find a way to not get into those jams by making mistakes, but today we found a way out of them."

Michael Jontz  notched his first save of the year, throwing three innings and yielding one hit. D.J. Glasgow and Bret Bell  also threw a third of an inning.

"We were behind in the count a lot this weekend but found a way to get some outs when we needed it," Stevens said.

Improving to 12-3 overall and 3-0 in league play, Central has the week off before traveling to Waverly for a three-game series with Wartburg College, starting Friday at 6 p.m. The Knights sport a 7-10 record with a 0-2 league mark.