DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque baseball team earned a split against the Central College Dutch on Saturday afternoon on Dan Runkle Baseball Field. UD lost a battle in the opener 6-5, but rallied to win game three of the series 9-1.

In game one, UD fought throughout the game. The Spartans trailed 2-0 in the first, rallied to tie the game in the second. Allowed two runs n the third, battled back with a run in the fourth and grabbed a one run lead after adding a pair of runs in the fifth, 5-4. In the top of the sixth Central added another pair of runs and that would be the final 6-5 after nine innings. UD scored five runs off 12 hits and committed no errors. Central scored six runs off nine hits and committed two errors.

The Spartans left nine runners on base as the Dutch would leave six runners on base. George Sherlock had UD's lone extra base hit with a double. Angel Reyes started on the mound for UD and tossed 5.2 innings and took the loss after six earned runs and striking out four after facing 26 batters. Jake Cekander came in for relief for the final 3.1 innings allowed just one hit and struck out three and faced 13 batters.

Four Spartans ended with two hits each: Will Sullivan (2-5, RBI), Micah O'Neal (2-3, RBI), George Sherlock (2-3, RBI), and Daniel Maller (2-4, 2RBI).

In game two it was all Spartans in the 9-1 victory. UD opened with a run in the first and second innings, broke the game open in the third with six runs and added another run in the seventh. UD scored nine runs off 12 hits and played errorless, as the Dutch were held to one run off six hits and committed five errors in the loss.

Shae Buskohl threw a complete nine inning win and allowed just one earned run. He faced 33 batters, fanned seven, and allowed just one walk to improve to 2-0 this season.

The Spartans finished with four extra base hits. Jake Cekander finished with a pair of doubles, Zavion Ingram and Daniel Maller each had a triple. Tyson Dent led with three RBI's and teammates Jake Cekander and Zavion Ingram each had two in the victory. Will Sullivan (2-5 at the plate), Cameron Pratt (2-5), Jake Cekander (2-4), Daniel Maller (2-4) were the team's multi-hit outings.

UD would leave eight batters on base and the Dutch left five runners on base in the loss. The Spartans defense turned one double-play.

The Spartans (6-8 overall, 1-3 in A-R-C) will host Coe College (10-3 overall, 0-0 in A-R-C) on Tuesday, March 25 at Dan Runkle Baseball Field in one nine inning contest beginning at 3:00 p.m.