Michael Edwards May 3, 2008

Central tourney berth still in sight

DUBUQUE—The Central College baseball team kept its Iowa Conference tournament hopes alive by beating the University of Dubuque 14-8 Saturday.

First baseman Michael Edwards (senior, Pella) moved into a tie with Adam Duerfeldt on the school career doubles list with 41. Edwards went 3-for-5 with two runs, an RBI and a pair of two-baggers.

“It’s really great to have Michael mentioned with Adam (Duerfeldt) because (Adam) had a lot of positive influence on Michael as a young guy,” said coach Adam Stevens.

The Dutch (18-19 overall, 8-13 conference) also received an offensive outburst from senior second baseman Justin Owens (Milo, Southeast Warren HS) who went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and his first homer of the season in the third inning. Ben Tressel (sophomore, third baseman, Dubuque, Wahlert HS) was 2-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBIs, sophomore center fielder Anthony Bazant (Omaha, Neb., Ralston HS) was 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored while freshman Caleb Rangel (Rock Island, Ill., Alleman HS) went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI.

The Dutch took a 2-0 lead in the third off Owens’ homer and an RBI double by Edwards. Central blew the game open in the fifth by scoring eight runs. The onslaught was highlighted by a two-run homer from freshman right fielder Jarred Lackey (Somerton, Ariz., Cibola HS), and two-run singles by Derek Knutson (junior, left fielder, Richland, Wash., Yorkville, Ill. HS) and Owens.

Stevens was particularly pleased with his squad’s use of the long ball.

“We worked all week in practice on taking aggressive swings and it paid off,” he said.

The Spartans (14-23 overall, 7-14 conference) made the game interesting by plating four in the sixth and three in the seventh to make it 10-7. However, Central responded by scoring two runs in the eighth and ninth innings.

“It was good to see us score those late runs because we have had some trouble closing out teams this season,” said Stevens.

Senior pitcher Brett Mahan (West Des Moines, Valley HS) started and got the win to improve his record to 6-3. He went seven innings while surrendering four earned runs on 10 hits, walked one and struck out five. Rangel came on in relief and threw two innings while allowing one run on one hit.

The same two squads play again Sunday in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Central is still in the hunt for a spot in the six-team league tourney in Cedar Rapids next Thursday through Saturday. The Dutch stand in sixth place heading into the league season’s final day.