Central knocks off ranked Loras baseball team
DUBUQUE— The Central College baseball team won its first American Rivers Conference game of the season with a road win against the No. 18 team in Division III, Loras College, 14-13.
Central (10-9, 1-8 conference) ended its eight-game losing streak by beating the Duhawks (21-4, 5-4 conference). It was also Central’s first win over a ranked opponent since beating No. 10 St. Thomas University (Minn.) in 2016.
“I really liked our perseverance,” coach Casey Klunder said. “We stuck with the plan and persevered through their scoring rallies.”
Right fielder Colton DeRocher (sophomore, Sioux City, East HS) tied a school record with six RBI after hitting a pair of three-run home runs. His was the first multi-home run game since Patrick Diemer went yard twice against Robert Morris University – Peoria in March of 2010.
“He’s red hot right now,” Kluner said. “He’s seeing the ball really well and it’s fun to watch. It’s rare to watch an offensive player to take over a game like that.”
Logan McCoy (sophomore, shortstop, Galva, Alta-Aurelia HS) drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning with a singe to left field. McCoy and Declan O’Hare (junior, Los Angeles, Calif., John Marshall HS) each had solo home runs.
“Logan keeps getting better because he’s using both sides of the field,” Klunder said. He was trying to pull everything at first but now is willingness to use the whole field is big.”
Starting pitcher Marcus Wenzel (senior, Chicago, Ill., Luther North College Prep) allowed 10 earned runs over five innings on the mound. Kurby Vowels (junior, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) took over in the sixth and navigated through four innings while scattering four hits and three runs, earning the win.
“Marcus gave us a chance to win,” Klunder said. “It was tough conditions but Marcus did a nice job. Kirby was nails out of the bullpen. He mixed pitches well and attacked he hitters so much more effectively.”
The Dutch head to Cedar Rapids for a three-game set with Coe College this weekend, starting on Friday at 3 p.m.
