SAUGET, ILL. — With a two-run blast in the fifth inning of Saturday's 11-1 win over Westminster College (Mo.), Central College baseball fifth-year catcher Dom DeLaPaz (Davenport, West HS) became the program's all-time home runs leader.
DeLaPaz's third home run of the season was also No. 26 of his career, overtaking Colton DeRocher's previous record of 25 set in 2024.
Central (3-4) got a second two-run home run in the game from center fielder Max Steinlage (senior, Cedar Falls). DeLaPaz finished with three hits and three runs scored and Steinlage had two hits. First baseman David DiStefano (freshman, Janesville, Wis., Craig HS) also drove in a pair of runs.
Sophomore pitcher Jackson Torbit (sophomore, St. Louis, Mo., Webster Groves HS) twirled a gem, striking out seven and allowing just one hit and one earned run over seven innings of work. He gets credit for the complete game after Central ended the game early via the 10-run rule.
In Saturday's first game, Central lost 9-4 to the Milwaukee School of Engineering (Wis.). Starting pitcher Mark Kenney (senior, Fennimore, Wis.) yielded four earned runs in 5.1 innings of work. He allowed five hits and two walks while striking out a pair.
At the plate, DeLaPaz, designated hitter Nathan Scragg (junior, Port Perry, Ontario, Canada) and left fielder Stephen Stufflebeam (junior, Macomb, Ill.) each had two hits. Scragg and Stufflebeam both recorded doubles while Brayden Sawyer (senior, third baseman, Grundy Center) added a solo homer in the ninth inning.
Central is back at it in Sauget Sunday, playing Westminster at 10 a.m. and MSOE at 1 p.m.
