One unfortunate inning cost the Central College baseball team a road victory at the University of Dubuque Tuesday in a 12-11 loss. With the win, Dubuque completed the three-game series sweep over Central (11-14, 5-9 conference) after winning the first two games in Pella on March 28.

Making his second start of the season on the mound, Kurby Vowels stymied the Spartans. Vowels matched career highs with four strikeouts and six innings pitched while issuing three walks, hitting two batsmen, yielding six Spartan hits and three runs. Parker Jones replaced Vowels to start the bottom of the seventh with an 11-3 lead and walked four of the five batters he faced. Sam Staley took the mound next and walked three out of five batters. The Spartans scored nine runs on three hits, one error and eight walks before the third reliever of the inning, Landon Thiele, induced an inning-ending double play.

After scoring 11 runs in the first six innings, Central’s offense was unable to answer in the final innings. Right fielder Colton DeRocher led the way with three hits, including two doubles, while driving in three runs. Third baseman Declan O’Hare also drove in three runs powered by a two-run home run. First baseman Garrett Finley had a solo home run of his own. Catcher Brenden Mudd and center fielder Max Steinlage each had one hit but found other ways to get on base and scored three runs each.

The Dutch have a bye in the American Rivers Conference schedule this weekend and will travel to Gustavus Adolphus College for a 1 p.m. Saturday doubleheader in Saint Peter, Minnesota.