AVERLY — Another gem from Central College baseball starting pitcher Declan O'Hare (senior, Los Angeles, Calif., John Marshall HS) gave the team a split over Wartburg College Saturday afternoon.
O'Hare went the distance in a 3-2 Dutch (14-20, 8-13 American Rivers Conference) win in the opener. The Dutch lost the nightcap to the Knights (12-18, 7-14 conference) 5-3. In his second straight complete game, O'Hare struck out a career-high nine batters while scattering eight hits.
"He keeps improving his best," coach Casey Klunder said. "He had more velocity today than what he has had. He kept his pitch count down from where it has been by getting easy outs early."
Central was scoreless through seven innings before first baseman Garrett Finley (senior, DeWitt, Central DeWitt HS) had a two RBI double and shortstop Kasey Carter (freshman, Prole, Indianola HS) drove in a third run with a single to left field to put Central ahead 3-1. The Knights added one a tally in the ninth inning but O'Hare held on for the complete game win.
"Give Finley credit, that was a big hit when we certainly need it," Klunder said. "Kasey added an insurance and Colton Jones (junior, Knoxville) did a great job as a pinch runner."
The Dutch offense struggled early in game two before loading the bases to start the ninth inning while trailing 5-0. Logan McCoy's (junior, second baseman, Galva, Alta-Aurelia HS) double plated two runs and three batters later Finley added another RBI single.
"We had some good at-bats there in the ninth," Klunder said. "It was one of our poorer offensive performances of the season."
Sam Staley (senior, Cedar Rapids, Jefferson HS) took the loss as game two's starting pitcher. He gave up three earned runs in four innings. Landon Thiele (senior, Moline, Ill.) allowed one more earned run in his four innings of relief.
The Dutch travel to Mount Vernon Tuesday for a 4 p.m. doubleheader with Cornell College.
"We have two goals for Cornell: get some pitchers in the game who haven't pitched in awhile and get this offense back on track," Klunder said.
