PELLA— Three runs in the ninth inning by Loras College cost the Central College baseball team in a 5-4 loss Thursday night.
           
Central (16-20, 7-15 American Rivers Conference) fell to Loras (18-20, 8-14 conference) in the first meeting of a three-game series.
           
With Central leading 3-2 going into the final frame, the Duhawks had the bases loaded with two outs. Back-to-back singles gave them a 5-4 lead. Turner Williams (sophomore, Newton) took the loss, working for 1.2 innings and striking out three. Eli Rouse (freshman, Madrid, Ballard HS) got the final out of the ninth
           
"Turner and Eli battled hard in the ninth," coach Adam Carey said. "A couple things don't go quite our way and the ball bounces their way. That's where we have to learn how to win anyways."
           
Jackson Torbit (freshman, St. Louis, Mo., Webster Groves HS) struck out nine in seven innings, scattering five hits and two walks. A two-run home run in the third inning was the only runs Loras scored against the starter.
           
"Jackson had a great start tonight," Carey said. "He attacked the zone all night and made an awesome offense look uncomfortable in the box."
           
Junior Chance Dreyer (junior, Davenport, Assumption HS) led the Dutch with two hits, including a two-run double in the fourth inning.
           
"Dreyer has that mentality all the time," Carey said. "He came through tonight early in the game and it was awesome to see that ball fall for him."
           
Central and Loras are scheduled for a 1 p.m. doubleheader Friday back at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex.