PELLA – Everything went right to start for the Central College baseball in Friday’s game against the University of Dubuque but the momentum faded in a 12-4 loss. In the first inning, starting pitcher Declan O’Hare (fifth year, Los Angels, Calif., John Marshall HS) retired all three batters he faced to start with a scoreless frame. Central (9-16, 3-7 American Rivers Conference) responded with two hits in the bottom half of the inning before a dropped infield fly allowed the Dutch to score the first run of the contest.
The Spartans (18-10, 7-6 conference) offense scored at least one run over the next six innings. O’Hare struck out six but allowed five earned runs on six hits and three walks over 5.0 innings. Central used a trio of relievers to close out the last four innings, highlighted by two scoreless innings from junior Wes Hamor (Tama, East Marshall HS). Hamor recorded a pair of strikeouts.
“When we get ahead in the count, good things happen and that’s what happened in the first inning,” coach Adam Carey said. “As the game progressed, we got behind in the count too often.” Colton DeRocher (senior, Sioux City, East HS) added two more home runs to his quest to be Central’s all-time home run leader. He’s now at six on the season and 22 for his career. Rick Hassman set the program standard at 24 from 1986-1989.
“The dialogue about his at-bats have been a lot better,” Carey said. “You’re seeing it come together and it’s good to see him get back on track. He looks like himself in the box again.”
Starting catcher Dom DeLaPaz (junior, Davenport, West HS) was also responsible for three of Central’s hits, including a double in the fifth inning. Max Steinlage (sophomore, Cedar Falls) had a pair of diving catches in center field that caught the attention of Carey. He also had a double.
“It feels like when the ball gets hit into the middle of the field and its high enough in the air, we don’t even have to watch it,” Carey said. “We know its going to get caught. That’s a testament to his effort, his mental energy and his physical energy.”
“Tomorrow is a great opportunity,” Carey said. “If we come with the right mindset, we’ll be good to go.”
