DUBUQUE — Senior first baseman Michael Reuter's (Monticello) two-run home run in the eighth inning gave the Central College baseball team all the insurance it needed in a 4-1 victory over Loras College Friday evening.

"(Michael) Reuter hit a big home run to help give us a cushion," said coach Matt Schirm.

Central (16-14 overall, 8-6 Iowa Conference) trailed 1-0 heading into the fifth inning before senior third baseman Zach Brown (Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) tripled and scored on a triple from sophomore Chris Riddle (Omaha, Neb., Mount Michael HS). Riddle later scored on a single to left field by senior center fielder Jacob Hirst (Davenport, Assumption HS).

"Zach continued to hit the ball well," said Schirm.

The game remained scoreless until Reuter's long ball to left.

The Dutch used a wealth of pitchers in the game. Freshman righty Ethan Weinandy (Lake In The Hills, Ill., Crystal Lake South HS) started and threw three innings, giving up three hits and surrendering an unearned run.

Senior pitcher Blake Judkins (Marshalltown) earned the win, throwing two innings, striking out two and walking one.

Freshman Tanner Wood (Pella) and sophomore pitcher Zach Greder (Sloan, Westwood HS) combined to throw innings 6-8, before giving way to freshman closer Zach Edwards (Des Moines, Lincoln HS). Edwards earned the save, throwing one inning and striking out one Duhawk batter.

Edwards is tied for second in the conference with four saves.

"We used a lot of pitchers tonight but all of them pitched very well," said Schirm.   

A doubleheader between the two teams begins at 1 p.m. Saturday.