Aiming to snap a mini four-game slide, the Iowa Central baseball team managed to right the ship on Thursday afternoon.
The Tritons (30-17 overall) posted an 8-3 nine-inning home triumph over Div. I foe Marshalltown at Ed Barbour Field.
Scott Splett and Dan Potempa ignited the Iowa Central offensive assault with three hits apiece. Splett also scored twice, drove in a pair of runs and swiped a base, while Potempa delivered three RBI. The Tritons collected nine hits in the contest and benefited from four pivotal defensive miscues by the Tigers (19-24).
"We got the right guys up (at the plate) at the right times," ICCC head coach Rick Pederson said. "Splett and Potempa have been our best hitters all year. We were able to get some runners on base in front of them and also took advantage of (the Marshalltown) mistakes."
Trailing 3-2 in the sixth, Iowa Central erupted for four two-out scores - all unearned - and was never seriously challenged again by the visitors. Splett, a South Dakota State signee, and Potempa each came through with clutch run-scoring singles during that key stretch.
"I hope a game like (yesterday) can help us get back on track," said Pederson. "I just can't put my finger on it with this club. We can be really good at times, but we still haven't been able to find that consistency we've been looking for. Maybe we just need to start feeling good about ourselves and gain a little more confidence in our abilities."
Eagle Grove graduate Logan Willard (4-4) posted the victory on the mound for the Tritons. The Indiana State recruit surrendered six hits and two earned runs over six innings, while walking one and fanning eight. Quinn Johnson, Vinny Crivaro and Cory Ferm all worked scorless innings in relief for Iowa Central.
"Logan did a good job for us," Pederson said. "He's had a frustrating season, but he's been outstanding lately in all of his bullpen sessions. We're going to need him at his best heading into the postseason."
Jordan McCoy spearheaded Marshalltown with a 2-for-4 effort at the dish, including a double. The Tigers, who also dropped a 7-3 decision to the Tritons earlier this season, scored in the second, third and fifth frames.
Next outing for Iowa Central is Saturday when they welcome Iowa Lakes (19-19) for an ICCAC twinbill. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Contact Josh Meyer at (515) 573-2141, or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net
IOWA CENTRAL 8,
MARSHALLTOWN 3 (9 Inn.)
Marshalltown 011 010 000-3 7 4
Iowa Central 101 004 02 x-8 9 3
Austin Fischer (2+IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K), Nick Weeter (L; 3 2/3 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K), Max Chadsey (1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K), Zack Throckmorten (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K) and Steven Murtha, Kyle Simpson (5); Logan Willard (W, 4-4; 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K), Quinn Johnson (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K), Vinny Crivaro (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K), Cory Ferm (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K) and Taylor Petersen; Bryce Berg (8). 2B-M: Jordan McCoy, Ben Lott; ICCC: Dan Potempa, Scott Splett. SB-M: Bryce Manning; ICCC: Splett, Zak Leighton, Spencer Mallonee. CS-M: William Salas. LOB-M 5, ICCC 7.