Andy Amey
The Tribune-Star
Moline, Ill. —
Rose-Hulman jumped out to an early 5-2 lead Saturday over Buena Vista, but the top-seeded Beavers scored six runs in the fifth inning on their way to an 11-6 win in the NCAA Division III Central Regional baseball tournament.
The loss ended Rose-Hulman’s third consecutive regional appearance and the careers of 12 senior members of the squad.
Rose-Hulman jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a single by Chandler Kent, a double by Chris Stemple, a double by Tim Tepe and a single by Donald Stopka.
Buena Vista got within 3-2, but consecutive hits by Derek Dauenbaugh, Kent and Stemple pushed Rose-Hulman’s lead to 4-2.
After Buena Vista’s rally gave the Beavers an 8-5 lead, Rose-Hulman scored one run in the fifth and placed two runners aboard in the eighth and ninth, but could not overcome the deficit.
Stemple, Kent and B.J. Zobrist paced Rose-Hulman’s 16-hit offensive attack with three hits each. Stopka and Tepe each added two.
Brandon Pietrzyk led the Buena Vista attack with two hits, including a home run, three runs scored and 12⁄3 scoreless innings in relief to earn the save. Kyle Dupic pitched 32⁄3 innings and allowed just one run to earn the win.
Seniors for Rose, which completed its third straight NCAA tournament season and won its second straight Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament championship, are Andrew Bilse, Derek Eitel, Troy Eveslage, Kent, Jared Kronable, Keenan Long, Nick Maloney, Daniel Prochno, David Silwanowicz, Ben Stenger, Tepe and Kirk Thompson. They completed their career with a total record of 115-61.
