Vikings Fall to Nationally Rated Bruins

Blair, Nebraska ~ The Dana College baseball team travelled outside of conference play on Wednesday evening to take on Bellevue University in Omaha.  The Bruins came into the game rated 18^th in the latest NAIA poll.  Dana put four runs on the board in the final three innings, but fell to the Bruins 13-6.

Dana started off shaky as they gave up ten runs in the first four innings.  The Vikings withstood the early onslaught and rallied to score six runs in the last seven innings.  In the third inning, Dana put two runs on the board on two hits and a Bruin error.  Andy Cookston (FR, Lincoln, NE) and Andrew James (Omaha, NE) each singled in the inning.  Quentin Connealy (SR, Tekamah, NE) and James each drove in a run during the rally. 

The Vikings put two more runs on the board in the fifth inning.  Taylor Hoskinson (FR, Omaha, NE) lead off the inning with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch.  James smacked a double to score Hoskinson.  James advanced to third when Quentin Connealy hit into a double play.  He then advanced home on the Bruins second wild pitch of the inning.  Dana scored single runs in the seventh and ninth inning, but fell short of the Bruins 13 runs.

Andrew James went three for five on the day with two RBI’s and scored two runs.  Taylor Hoskinson went two for five with two runs scored.  Tim Sabadin (SR, Lake Elizabeth, CA) had two hits and an RBI.  Robert Riggs (SO, Council Bluffs, IA) started the game and pitched two innings.  Riggs gave up seven hits and four runs.  He also was credited with the loss.  Charlie Kimble (FR, Omaha, NE) pitched two innings and gave up six runs and four hits.  Kyle Courtney (JR, Omaha, NE) pitched two innings giving up two hits and a run.  He also struck out two Bruin batters.  Anthony Teal (JR, Omaha, NE) and John Ocken (FR, Omaha, NE) finished the game for Dana.  The tandem allowed five hits and two runs.

The loss drops Dana to 7-20 on the season.  The Vikings games on April 12 against Northwestern College have been postponed to Monday, April 14 at 5:00pm in Orange City, IA. The games against Briar Cliff on Sunday, April 13 are still on with a 2:00 pm start. Dana’s game against Peru State on April 15 has been postponed due to scheduling conflicts.  No make-up date has been set.

Coach Misfelt’s Corner

“Andrew James, Tim Sabadin and Taylor Hoskinson each had multiple-hit games,” commented Coach Misfeldt.  “Our relievers – Kyle Courtney, Anthony Teal and John Ocken – had good performances on the mound. Even though we lost, as a team we took another step in the right direction.  We have a lot of potential on this team.”  

Game Stats vs. Bellevue:           http://www.dana.edu/baseball/stats08/danbu.htm

For more information, please contact:  Shad Beam, Sports Information Director at sbeam@dana.edu or 402-426-7389.