Mike Edwards April 1, 2008

Dutch rally for split

DUBUQUE—The Central College baseball team received a much-needed lift from sophomore Trevor Talbot (Sioux City, East HS) who pitched a complete game for the Dutch in their game two 9-3 Iowa Conference win over Loras College after falling in the opener 10-6 Tuesday.  

All three runs Tallbott surrendered were earned. He scattered nine hits, struck out one and walked three in the seven-inning contest.

“The second game was a gut-check for us,” said coach Adam Stevens. “And the guy on the mound sets the tone. Trevor was a bulldog and he battled. He did exactly what he needed to today.”

Sophomore centerfielder Anthony Banzant (Omaha, Neb., Ralston HS) was also paramount in the Dutch (9-10 overall, 4-4 conference) win, going 4-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.

“Anthony adjusted to their pitches well and had a good approach the whole game,” said Stevens.

Loras (9-10 overall, 2-3 conference) helped Central’s cause by recording four errors, three coming in the five-run fifth inning for the Dutch. Only four of Central’s nine runs were earned.

“We tried to put pressure on (Loras) and we did an outstanding job of that,” said Stevens. “The second game was extremely important for our confidence. We challenged our guys between the games and they responded very well. Hopefully we can take the momentum from the second game through this week.”

Sophomore third baseman Ben Tressel (Dubuque, Hempstead HS) chipped in with two hits and a run scored in the victory. Senior left fielder Michael Edwards (Pella) had two RBIs while going 1-for-2 with a walk, a sacrifice fly and a run scored. Edwards also went 2-for-3 in the first game, going 3-for-4 on the day (.750).

In the first game, the Dutch squandered a five-run outburst in the first inning which was keyed by a two-RBI single by junior catcher Derek Knutson (Richland, Wash., Yorkville (Ill.) HS. Central allowed Loras right back into the contest, giving up three runs in the bottom of the first inning, two runs in the second and another in the third. The Dutch tied the game at six in the top of the fourth but the Duhawks scored in the bottom of the frame and added three in the sixth.

“Every inning it seemed like somebody was scoring,” said Stevens. “We did not execute in some important situations and it cost us.”

Central returns Thursday for a nine-inning non-conference clash with Grinnell College (10-7) in Pella at the A.N. Kuyper Complex at 2 p.m. The Pioneers downed the Dutch 11-5 at Grinnell, March 26.

-30-