A relief pitcher scoring the game-winning run on an RBI single by a pinch-hitter is not a normal end to a baseball game but that’s exactly how Central College defeated Nebraska Wesleyan University Tuesday, winning the American Rivers Conference tournament play-in game in the 10th inning. Central (14-25) advances to the first round of the American Rivers Conference tournament, playing in the Cedar Rapids pod Thursday. The Prairie Wolves end their season at 12-28.

After pitching 2.2 innings of relief, Ryan Riddle found himself in a position he had never been in during a varsity game in college. He was scheduled to be the leadoff batter in the bottom of the 10th inning. He was cruising on the mound and did not want to be replaced if the two teams went another inning so he stepped into the batter’s box.

Riddle slashed a ball up the middle and shortstop Aaron Nichols misplayed it, allowing him to reach on an error. A sacrifice bunt by third baseman Quinn Miller moved him up to second. Two batters later, Collin Lefeber walked to the plate as a pinch hitter and found a hole beyond the middle infielder’s reach to drive in Riddle as their teammates poured out of the dugout to celebrate.

Nursing a 6-5 lead with a runner on base in the eighth, the first two batters Riddle faced notched singles and tied the game. He retired the next eight batters on 22 pitches and picked up the win.

Marcus Wenzel put together another strong start, striking out five and holding the Prairie Wolves scoreless through the fifth inning.

Central had multi-hit games from Miller, Landon Vander Leest and Trevor Kimm. Miller and Jared Kampf each had a pair of RBI.

Central, the No. 8 seed, opens the double elimination portion of the tournament against No. 1 Coe College. The contest will start at 2 p.m. from the Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex on the campus of Mount Mercy University. No. 4 Buena Vista University and No. 5 University of Dubuque will also play in Cedar Rapids.