Basking in the glow of the warm Florida sunshine, the Dakota County Technical College Blue Knights split their first doubleheader of the 2005 season against Sussex Community College (N.J.). Under the command of new head coach Tim Huber, the Knights struggled for hits in the first game of the season against Sussex, losing 6-0 in a near-perfect, one-hitter performance for the Sussex pitcher. DCTC tarnished the Sussex box score in the seventh (and final) inning with a walk and a hit by Alex Smith with two out.
For the Blue Knights, starting pitcher Mike Spurling worked 5 1/3 solid innings. For the game, Spurling allowed just 3 hits to go along with 3 strikeouts and five walks. In relief, Mike Latz pitched 2/3 of an inning and David Wallner came in to throw a scoreless inning.
DCTC won the second game of the day in convincing style, 6-1. Behind a strong performance on the mound by Ryan Van Dusen turned in a strong performance on the mound for five innings, allowing only three hits and hurling three Ks.
In relief, DCTC’s Tony Rome closed out the game with two strong innings, allowing only one hit in the 6th and shutting down Sussex in order in the 7th.
The Blue Knights’ bats came alive in the second game. Jason Gergen led the charge with two hits, two runs, one stolen base, and an RBI single. Nate Jackson drove in two runs, and Alex Miller nailed a double. Van Dusen helped his own cause, collecting two hits, a stolen base and a run.
Coach Huber said he was impressed with the Knights’ performance since Sussex Community College is in Division II and is a top competitor within the NJCAA every year.
“Ryan (Van Dusen) really battled for us today,” Huber said. “Tony Rome did a great job in relief as he was able to come in and hit spots with his fastball. This was a good early win for us against quality competition. It was nice to see us come out and swing the bats well after struggling in game one”.
