Coming out of the 2015 season with a third place finish in the Iowa Conference and many talented players set to return, there were many high hopes about the Central baseball team this year. Unfortunately, injuries and several bad breaks went against the Dutch and they finished with a 10 – 30 overall record and missed the season-ending conference tournament. Through the smog and grime, Coach Matt Schirm says he still feels like 2016 was a step in the right direction towards where they need to be as a big time contender. Some of the younger guys Schirm points out that excelled include Garrett Saunders as the team’s primary shortstop, Ryan Bouwman’s prowess at the plate, and the combination of Charlier Palmer and Billy Coppage on the hill. Central will lose 14 seniors from their 2016 roster for the 2017 spring season.