In between games of its Sunday doubleheader against Simpson College, the Central College baseball team recognized the 13 seniors on the roster and gave student coach Jake Wegner the first at-bat of his career to lead off the second game. Simpson (17-21, 14-18 American Rivers Conference) swept Central (13-25, 10-22 conference) 6-0, 10-2.

Wegner first came to Central in the fall of 2015 after a bout with cancer in February of his senior year in high school. His doctors cleared him to play for the Dutch his freshman season before a relapse over the winter sent him back into treatment.
He returned in the fall of 2017 after defeating cancer for a second time and has been with the program as a student coach. He asked Coach Matt Schirm for one at-bat on Senior Day and his wish was granted. Wegner hit a ground ball and forced the shortstop to make a good throw to put him out.

On the field, Central struggled offensively and defensively. The Dutch only mustered eight singles and committed seven errors.

Jon Roozeboom got Central on the board in the eighth inning of game two with a sacrifice fly RBI. Quinn Miller’s single through the left side in the next at-bat gave the Dutch a second run.

A senior-laden lineup in game two saw four seniors collect hits as Roozeboom, shortstop Kyle Hauser, designated hitter Kyle Wright and second baseman Collin LeFeber all tallied base knocks.

Game two starter Nathan Schwanke threw 118 pitches over 7.0 innings, striking out six and allowing three earned runs. Kurby Vowels was the losing pitcher in game one, giving up six runs on eight hits, one walk and striking out two.

Central will be the No. 8 seed for the American Rivers Conference tournament and will start with a play-in game Tuesday against No. 9 Nebraska Wesleyan University in Pella. The start time has yet to be determined. The winner faces No. 1 Coe College on Thursday. Central beat the Prairie Wolves in three out of four games two weeks ago.

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