Ben Tressel Feb. 28, 2009

Extra innings--Central falls in opener

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.—Opening the season in the pre-dawn hours, the Central College baseball team was a pitch away from a win but surrendered five late runs in an 8-5, eight-inning defeat against Bethel Univ. (Minn.) Saturday at the Metrodome.

But the Dutch took a 4-2 lead in the nightcap, which was halted after five innings because of a time limit. Both teams will be in Fort Myers, Fla. during spring break and the game will be resumed there sometime during March 13-17. Game time will be determined early next week.

Saturday’s twinbill started at 5 a.m. Central entered the seventh inning of the opener nursing a 4-3 lead but yielded a lead-off triple. The Dutch retired the next two hitters on ground outs but Bethel’s Tim Oesterlin delivered a game-tying single to force extra innings. The Royals erupted for four runs in the eighth for the win.

Freshman shortstop Mike Furlong (Davenport, Assumption HS) had two hits and scored twice in his collegiate debut while sophomore second baseman Dave Lakin (Clinton) and first baseman Derek Knutson (senior, Richland, Wash., Yorkville, Ill. HS) each had two hits. Left fielder Caleb Rangel (sophomore, Rock Island, Ill., Alleman HS) belted a two-run double off the wall. Right fielder Jarred Lackey (sophomore, Somerton, Ariz., Cibola HS) and center fielder Ben Tressel (junior, Dubuque, Hempstead HS) each had RBI hits.

D.J. Glasgow (sophomore, Burlington) threw five innings, giving up three runs on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts.

Central took advantage of two Bethel errors and scored two runs in the fifth to move ahead in the second game. Furlong has two hits and a run scored through five innings while Tressel singled and scored twice and catcher Quinn O’Brien (senior, Carroll, Kuemper HS) had a run-scoring hit.

Freshman Corey Eisenman (Bloomingdale, Ill., Driscoll Catholic HS) threw five strong innings in his pitching debut, allowing two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

“Both starters did a really good job,” coach Adam Stevens said. “D.J. (Glasgow) threw five really solid innings. And Corey (Eisenman) did an outstanding job in his first start.”

Stevens was especially encouraged by the Dutch defense in a largely inexperienced infield.

“We played great defense,” he said. “We only made one error all day.

“We had 10-11 guys getting their first varsity action so it was nice to get their feet wet.

The thing I liked about them was that they were all very composed. That’s a good sign.”

Central will rest up for an even earlier start Sunday, taking the field at 4 a.m. for a doubleheader with Hamline Univ. (Minn.). The Pipers are already 3-0 and senior shortstop Dan Kaczrowski was named the Division III preseason player of the year by Baseball America.

“It’ll be another good challenge,” Stevens said. “Hopefully we’ll get some sleep before our 2 a.m. wakeup call.”

Stevens said junior Trevor Talbot (Sioux City, East HS) will take the mound for one game but the other starter won’t be determined until Sunday.