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Tritons tripped up by Tigers

Missed opportunities proved costly for the Iowa Central baseball team here Tuesday.

Falling for the eighth time in their last 10 games, the Tritons (22-12 overall) dropped a 5-2 decision to Div. I opponent Marshalltown at Ed Barbour Field.

Erich Gonzalez contributed a double, two singles and a run scored from his leadoff spot in the order for Iowa Central, while second baseman Franyelyn Diaz delivered two hits. Nolan Lepel added a two-bagger of his own.

After Matt Cox’s RBI groundout to shortstop brought home Austin Halligan (Fort Dodge) with the tying score for the Tritons in the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers later pulled away with a four-spot in the top of the seventh. Fernando Villegas plated Gonzalez with Iowa Central’s final run on a two-out RBI single in the ninth.

“We screwed up a handful of routine plays,” said ICCC head coach Rick Pederson. “You’ve got to be able to turn double plays at this level. We also struck out three times with a runner on third. I thought Gonzalez was one guy that was really good for us.”‘

Joel Rosauer went 3-for-5 offensively for Marshalltown (26-16) with a RBI and a run scored. Logan Holtz chipped in two hits and two RBI for the Tigers, who were coming off a split against Muscatine on Sunday.

Zach Grenell (0-1) took the loss in relief for the Tritons, allowing three hits and two runs over 1/3 of an inning. Austin Suhr, Nolan Reinhardt, Evan Johnson, Colby Carmichael and Bryce Kearns also made appearances on the mound for Iowa Central.

“Our pitching was good enough to give us a chance,” Pederson said. “Offensively, we had no approach at the plate. We weren’t locked in and just kind of stood up there.”

As a team, the Tritons finished only 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position, fanned 12 times and left 12 runners on base. Defensively, Iowa Central committed two errors.

Trevor Swartz (3-1) posted the win out of the bullpen for Marshalltown, surrendering two hits and no runs over two frames. Swartz walked two and struck out three. JD Barr notched his fifth save of the year for the visitors by inducing Halligan – who was the potential tying run – into a game-ending flyout to right.

Next action for the Tritons is Saturday when they host Southwestern (11-34). First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

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