Central Opens Weekend Baseball Series with a Win
A stellar introduction to the American Rivers Conference by freshman starting pitcher Jackson Torbit propelled the Central College Dutch baseball team to a 6-1 win Friday night at the University of Dubuque.
Central (9-4, 1-0 American Rivers) sent Torbit out to the mound for the first of the three-game series against the Spartans. He responded with seven sensational innings, striking out 10 batters and allowing one run on four hits with three walks. He needed just 89 pitches. Bryce Haessig closed out the game with two innings of scoreless relief with one strikeout and two hits allowed
The Dutch lineup struggled the first time through against the Spartans senior pitcher Aidan Elfering, striking out seven times in the first nine batters. A leadoff double in the fourth inning by right fielder Jaden Kramer eventually led to the first run of the game. Left fielder Dylan Williams had an RBI single in the fifth to extend Central’s lead to 2-0. Four hits in the sixth inning, including a leadoff triple by center fielder Max Steinlage led to a three-run frame. Catcher Dom DeLaPaz, shortstop Garrett Guenther, and designated hitter Caleb Douglass each tallied an RBI in the inning. Williams led off the seventh with a solo home run for the team’s sixth and final run.
The two teams are back on the field in Dubuque on Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader, and both games can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS.
Northwestern Tops Central in Women’s Tennis
After an extended delay in the middle of the singles matches, the Central College women’s tennis team lost its match to Northwestern College 5-2.
Unlike other competitions, the teams played singles matches first and they were moved inside after a delay midway through the opening matches due to rain. The Dutch (9-9) got singles match wins from Lauren Gano 7-5, 6-4 at #4 and a 6-0, 6-1 win from Emily Blom at #6. It was the first match of the spring season for Becca Vala and she was able to force a tiebreak after losing the first set 6-3. She came back with a dominant 6-1 win in the second set, before falling 11-9 in the third-set tiebreak. Northwestern (6-6) secured the win by claiming the doubles point, but Madi Whalen and Keleigh Hall won 6-3 at No. 3 doubles.
The Dutch will have another home match on March 28 when they host Webster University at 1 pm.
Dutch Men’s Wrestling Team with Five NWCA Academic Honorees
The National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-Americans were released Friday and five Central College men’s wrestlers were recognized for their achievements in the classroom and on the mat.
To qualify for the award, a wrestler must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. The wrestler also had to place in the top eight at an NCAA Division III regional or win 67 percent of their matches. Junior Sam West picked up the honor for the second year in a row. Senior Jason Hermann and freshman Ethan Skoglund, Bryson Spaulding and Carter West were all honored for the first time.
Central finished its season 12-4 and tied for second in the league standings, its best finish since 1992. The Dutch took fifth at the NCAA Division III Region VI Championships and tied for 35th at the NCAA Division III Championships.