PELLA—With just two players producing runs for the Central College baseball team, the Univ. of Dubuque hushed the Dutch offense as Central suffered 4-3 setback Saturday.

It was a pitcher's duel most of the game, with both hurlers throwing similar complete-game efforts allowing eight hits and walking three. Dubuque's Paul Krenger fanned 10 batters and Ryan Goetzinger (4-2) struck out six.

"Both pitchers were outstanding and moved the ball around well," coach Adam Stevens said.

Central (14-11, 4-6 conference) couldn't muster hits at key times, stranding five runners on base. The Spartans (15-8, 5-7 conference) also caught the Dutch stealing three times.

"They found a way to shut us down," Stevens said. "They stopped our running game and that had a big effect. We just couldn't bring in runners when we needed to."

The senior-led offense began with third baseman Anthony Miller in the second inning with a single through the right side. He advanced to third on a single from second baseman Ryan Allison before scoring on a wild pitch. The two paired again for a comeback effort in the ninth inning. Behind 4-1 with two outs, Miller got on base with a single through the left side. Allison belted his first home run of the season to put the Dutch within one, but Krenger forced a ground out to end the game.

"We have to let a tough game like this go," Stevens said. "Tomorrow is a new day and we'll be better offensively."

Central continues the three-game Iowa Conference series with a doubleheader Sunday at 1 p.m. at A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex. A video webstream can be accessed through the Central athletics homepage.