Central Baseball Team Piles Up the Hits in a Losing Effort

The Central College baseball team outhit Loras College 18-15 Friday afternoon but lost the opening game of the American Rivers Conference weekend series 10-6.

The Dutch (11-18, 5-11 conference) pounded out 15 singles and three extra-base hits, but also stranded 12 runners throughout the game. Right fielder Colton DeRocher had a team-high four hits, including an RBI triple. Center fielder Max Steinlage had three hits, including an RBI double. Second baseman Logan McCoy, first baseman Garrett Finley, and left fielder Chase Martin each had two hits apiece. Landon Thiele took the loss on the mound in four innings of relief. He allowed three earned runs on eight hits and one walk. Kurby Vowels was the starting pitcher, allowing five earned runs in five innings. He scattered seven hits and seven walks until a four-run fifth inning.

Central and Loras return to the field for a doubleheader that can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS today at 1 p.m. Weather forecasts call for a high of 44 degrees and wind gusts over 20 miles per hour.

Moffett, McGriff Lead Central Men’s Golf Squad

Flirting with low numbers the Central College men’s golf team posted 12 birdies but gave back a few strokes as well to emerge in 10th place after the first round of the 18-team Millikin University (Ill.) Take Back the Night Challenge Friday.

Central shot 304 at the par-71 Red Tail Run Golf Course. Illinois Wesleyan University, ranked No. 12 in the Bushnell/Golfweek Division III Coaches Poll, shares the first-round lead with Parkland Community College (Ill.) at even-par 288, followed closely by Rose-Hulman (Ind.) at 289. American Rivers foe Nebraska Wesleyan University is eighth at 300 while the University of Dubuque is 11th behind Central at 306.

Jacob Moffett posted a pair of birdies and joined Cole McGriff with a 3-over-par 75. They’re tied for 26th individually. Four players are tied for the individual lead at 69. Harold Dobernecker shot 77, along with Lucas Wendel, who had the day’s wildest ride with five birdies and four double bogeys. Kyle Gabos had 81. Central also had a pair of at-large entrants. Jacob Brainerd shot 76 while Dustin Haines had 78. McGriff had four bogeys and a birdie to go with 13 pars.

Play moves Saturday to the par-71 South Side Country Club and the weather is expected to take a nasty turn with cooler temperatures and high winds.