LINCOLN, NEBRASKA — With a 6-5 win in the first game Friday against Nebraska Wesleyan University, the Central College baseball ensured its spot in the American Rivers Conference tournament for the first time since 2021.
Central (16-21, 11-12 American Rivers Conference) lost the second game against Nebraska Wesleyan (13-26, 8-15 conference) 12-3.
The program's all-time leader in home runs, Dom DeLaPaz (senior, catcher, Davenport, West HS) had not had any since April 4 but broke out with two in tonight's opener. He tied the game with a solo shot in the fifth and put the Dutch in front with a three-run blast in the sixth.
First baseman Dylan Williams (senior, Woods Cross, Utah) started the scoring with an RBI double in the second. Max Steinlage (senior, center field, Cedar Falls) drove in what became the winning run on a seventh-inning single.
Jackson Torbit (sophomore, St. Louis, Mo, Webster Groves HS) was the winning pitcher, starting and throwing 7.0 innings. He allowed three earned runs while scattering four hits. Turner Williams (junior, Newton) notched the save in 2.0 innings of work. He allowed two earned runs on two hits.
In game two, Mark Kenney (senior, Fennimore, Wis.) took the loss on the mound, allowing nine earned runs in 3.2 innings. DeLaPaz had an RBI sacrifice fly and Garrett Guenther (junior, Grayslake, Ill., Central HS) added a solo home run.
The final game of the regular season is Saturday at 1 p.m. against the Prairie Wolves. Central is guaranteed a top-six finish in league play but Central could finish anywhere from fourth to sixth pending results around the league.
