PELLA, Iowa-- Wartburg split the first doubleheader of the weekend series against Central Friday. The host Dutch claimed the first game, 1-0 before the Knights won the second game, 5-2.

The first game was scoreless and neither team had a baserunner advance past first until the fourth inning. In the bottom of the frame, Central had an RBI single to take the 1-0 lead.

Junior DJ Utley (Cedar Rapids) broke up the no-hitter with his single down the right field line in the fifth. The Dutch had one batter reach base in the fifth and sixth innings, but both were left stranded.

The Orange and Black looked to rally in their last at-bats as they had three batters reach but did not advance due to put outs on fielder's choices. Utley had both of Wartburg's hits as he added a double in this inning which made runners on second and third with two outs. Unfortunately, the next batter flew out to give the first game to Central.

Senior Ben Rettenmeier (Cedar Rapids) pitched a complete game and fanned eight in the outing.

In the second game, sophomore Ryan Kemp (Keokuk) gave the Knights the 1-0 lead with his leadoff home run in the fifth inning. Junior Jackson Litterer (Waverly) drove in senior Michael Schinstock (Urbandale) on his sacrifice fly to double their margin.

Senior Clay Emmrich (Plainfield, Ill.) scored the final three runs for the Orange and Black on his three-run homer, as a pinch hitter, over the left field fence to make the score 5-0 in the top of the sixth. He tied his career mark in RBIs.

The Dutch plated one run in the bottom of the frame and started a rally of their own in the bottom of the ninth, but were only able to score one run to give the win to Wartburg.

Kemp went 3-4 and Utley finished 2-3 in this game. Sophomore Parker Bolt (Reinbeck) earned the win in his complete game effort and struck out six.

Both teams return for the final doubleheader tomorrow at 1 p.m.