DeLaPaz dominants for Dutch in Florida baseball opener

Central designated hitter ties school record for RBI in a game

by Joseph Flaherty

Auburndale, FL (03/10/2025) — Designated hitter Dom DeLaPaz (senior, Davenport, West HS) had two home runs and six RBI to lead the Central College baseball team an 18-6 win over Bethany College (W. Va.) Sunday afternoon to start the spring break week trip in Florida

It was the first career multi-home run game for DeLaPaz and a new career-high for RBI in a game. He also tied the school record for RBI in a game.

"I was really impressed with him in the box all day," coach Adam Carey said.

Central was behind 3-1 through three innings before scoring three in the fourth inning and six in the fifth inning.

"After the first few innings didn't go our way in the box, we kept a mature approach to the game and eventually broke the flood gates open," Carey said.

Beyond DeLaPaz, first baseman Chance Dreyer junior, Davenport, Assumption HS) also had a three-hit game while right fielder Jaden Kramer (junior, Cedar Falls) and center fielder Max Steinlage (junior, Cedar Falls) had two apiece. Steinlage had a solo home run in the fourth.

On the mound, Mark Kenney (junior, Fennimore, Wis.) got the start and went four innings, striking out four with six hits and three earned runs. Xander Poock (sophomore, Johnston) came on in relief to throw the final four innings and allowed three earned runs on six hits.

"They gave us a chance the whole way through" Carey said. "They kept things as clean as possible by not walking and hitting batters."

Central is back on the field in Florida at 9:30 a.m. (EST) for a game against Greenville University (Ill.).

Dominic

DeLaPaz