Caleb Rangel March 1, 2009

Errors cost Central in Metrodome

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.—Unbeaten Hamline Univ. (Minn.) took advantage of four Central College errors for a 7-4 baseball victory in the early-morning hours Sunday at the Metrodome.  

The game started at 4 a.m. The second game was not completed due to a time limit and will not be made up.

Central (0-2) tied the opener 1-1 on a third inning RBI single by left fielder Caleb Rangel (sophomore, Rock Island, Ill., Alleman HS). But the Dutch made three errors while giving up two hits in the fourth inning as Hamline (4-0) put up four runs. The Pipers added two runs in the sixth.

Central came back with a tally in the sixth on a run-scoring single by freshman pinch-hitter Ben Chestnut (Bettendorf). An RBI single by first baseman Derek Knutson (senior, Richland, Wash., Yorkville, Ill. HS) highlighted a two-run seventh, but Central’s bid ended with one runner left on base.

Both teams pounded out 10 hits. Freshman shortstop Mike Furlong (Davenport, Assumption HS) had three hits after getting two hits in Saturday’s 8-5 loss to Bethel Univ. (Minn.).

“Mike is so fast,” coach Adam Stevens said. “That’s a good dimension to add to our lineup.”

Rangel and right fielder Jarred Lackey (sophomore, Somerton, Ariz., Cibola HS) each had two hits.

Adam Squires (senior, Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS) took the loss. He yielded seven runs on eight hits but just two earned runs while walking three and striking out two. Joel Pulliam (freshman, Des Moines, Lincoln HS) threw 2.2 innings of scoreless relief.

“Adam (Squires) had a really good start,” Stevens said. “They had a few balls find holes and then we had a big defensive lapse in the fourth inning. That was really the difference in the game.

“But Hamline is a very good offensive team. It definitely was a good challenge for us.”

Despite coming away from the weekend at 0-2, Stevens was encouraged with his young club. He noted that late in the game the Dutch had freshmen at pitcher, catcher, shortstop, second base and third base.

“We continue to see some really positive things for down the road,” Stevens said. “We wanted to get a lot of guys in this weekend and we did that. Now we really need to work the next week-and-a-half and hopefully be a better team when we go on spring break and, ultimately, when we start the Iowa Conference season. We’re looking forward to getting back to practice in a couple days.”

Central departs March 11 for Fort Myers, Fla. and takes on Southern Vermont in a 4 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) game before meeting Scranton Univ. (Pa.) at 7 p.m.