CEDAR RAPIDS — The University of Dubuque piled on 11 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to eliminate the Central College baseball team from the American Rivers Conference tournament Thursday, beating the Dutch 14-4.
Central (14-27) lost its first round game 7-3 against the conference champions from Coe College.
In the first elimination game at the Cedar Rapids pod of the league tournament, the Spartans (18-23) and Dutch were tied 1-1 after four innings. Ryan Riddle (senior, Omaha, Neb., Mount Michael HS) got the start on the mound after helping Central win the play-in game on Tuesday in a relief role. He lasted 4.0 innings before being lifted from the game after 81 pitches.
In the bottom of the fifth, Dubuque erupted for 11 runs by notching seven hits and taking advantage of four walks. Central pitchers issued eight total walks in the contest.
Trevor Kimm (senior, catcher, Urbandale) had a two-run home run in the fourth inning against Coe, his third of the season, and Tyler Sass (freshman, center fielder Lincoln, Neb., Southwest HS) added a triple in the eighth. Both Kimm and Sass had two hits in the opener. Kimm had two more hits against Dubuque.
"I'm very happy for TK to finish his career on such a positive note individually," coach Matt Schirm said. "It meant a lot to have him come back this year."
Against Dubuque, Chris Hensley (right fielder, Ottumwa) went 3-3 with a double, RBI, and a run scored to close out his senior year.
"I am going to miss Chris so much," Schirm said. "He gave his heart and soul to our program for four years."
Landon Vander Leest (junior, Pella) took the loss on the mound against Coe, giving up six runs on eight hits in 3.1 innings of work. Caleb Evans (sophomore, Davenport, Central HS) tossed the final 4.2 innings, yielding one run on four hits.
Kurby Vowels (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly, Shell Rock HS) was the losing pitcher of the six that Central used in the second game.
Central had 13 seniors on its roster to end the season. At least a few of them may take advantage of the extra year of eligibility given to student-athletes from the NCAA due to COVID-19, but most of them will be moving on from Central.
"This senior class is going to do special things going forward," Schirm said. "I'm looking forward to continue our relationships as they transition to be alumni of the baseball program."
