Caleb Rangel March 17, 2009

Dutch fall 3-2 on last day in Florida

FORT MYERS, FLA.—The Central College baseball team put itself in position for another come-from-behind win in the ninth inning Tuesday morning but fell just short, losing 3-2 to Plattsburgh State (N.Y.) in its final game in Florida.

Down 3-1 in the final frame a single by shortstop Mike Furlong (freshman, Davenport, Assumption HS) followed by a walk from outfielder Caleb Rangel (sophomore, Rock Island, Ill., Alleman HS) gave the Dutch runners on first and second with one out. Sophomore Kyle Hammann (Knoxville) entered the game as a pinch-runner and double steal put both runners in scoring position.

Furlong came in to score when sophomore outfielder Jarred Lackey (Somerton, Ariz., Cibola HS) hit a sacrifice fly. But with Hammann on third base Plattsburgh closer Kevin Gent retired first baseman Derek Knutson (Richland, Wash., Yorkville (Ill.) HS) to end the game.

The Dutch outhit Plattsburgh (6-3 overall) 8-4 in the game but were doomed by errors, committing four to Plattsburgh’s zero.

“We didn’t have as many hits as we’ve had in our last few games but I still think we hit the ball really well today,” said head coach Adam Stevens. “They made some really good plays defensively and even though we were threatening to score nearly every inning we just couldn’t come up with the big hit when we needed it.”

Central received three solid pitching outings from freshman Corey Eisenman (Bloomingdale, Ill., Driscoll Catholic HS), sophomore D.J. Glasgow (Burlington) and junior Doug Eisenman (Grundy Center). Corey Eisenman worked three innings, Glasgow went 2.2 and Doug Eisenman threw the final 3.1 innings as each allowed one run to score. Glasgow (1-1) got the loss for Central.

After going 4-3 in Florida, Central has its improved its record to 4-6. The Dutch will begin their trip back to Pella Tuesday but will make a stop in Springfield, Ill. for a 6 p.m. game Wednesday with Robert Morris-Springfield (3-5 overall.)