Central baseball team squeaks past Nebraska Wesleyan
LINCOLN, NEB. – A three-run eighth inning pushed the Central College baseball team to a 7-6 win at Nebraska Wesleyan University Friday in the American Rivers Conference opener for both squads.
Trailing 5-4 after seven complete innings, the Dutch started the eighth with Logan McCoy (senior, second baseman, Galva, Alta-Aurelia HS) reaching on a hit by pitch and center fielder Max Steinlage’s (sophomore, Cedar Falls) single. Right fielder Colton DeRocher’s (senior, Sioux City, East HS) groundout put both runners in scoring position for catcher Dom DeLaPaz (junior, Davenport, West HS), who roped a single into right field for two RBI and the lead. Declan O’Hare (fifth year, Los Angeles, Calif., John Marshall HS) followed with an RBI double to put the Dutch in front 7-5.
“They got Dom to two strikes, and he did a great job of understanding the situation,” coach Adam Carey said. “He battled throughout the at-bat and it was awesome to see him come through like that.”
Reliever Bryce Haessig (sophomore, Huxley, Ballard HS) picked up his second win after tossing the final three frames. The Prairie Wolves tagged him for two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out twice. Haessig was in relief of O’Hare who gave up just four runs in 6.0 innings despite allowing 11 hits and four walks.
“I was really happy with Declan’s start today,” Carey said. “He found a way to grind through an outing where he didn’t have his best stuff. Bryce came in and did a great job.”
DeLaPaz and Steinlage each had two hits while DeLaPaz led the way with three RBI. Shortstop Dylan Williams (sophomore, Bountiful, Utah, Woods Cross HS) had an RBI double in the fifth and DeRocher had a solo home run in the third. Central was outhit by Nebraska Wesleyan 16-8 but the Prairie Wolves stranded 10 runners compared to just three for the Dutch.
“Timely hitting was definitely a factor today,” Carey said. “We were fortunate to string our hits together when we did.”
Coming off a doubleheader in which they made five errors, Central’s defense had no errors and turned a pair of doubleheaders.
“It was really fun to see us play clean defense,” Carey said.
Central and Nebraska Wesleyan play a doubleheader Saturday in Lincoln at noon.
