DECORAH — Taking advantage of a complete game shutout from starting pitcher Declan O'Hare (junior, Los Angeles, Calif., Marshall HS), the Central College baseball team took a 2-0 victory over Luther College in the opening game of the weekend series.

The win moves Central to 16-21 on the season and 4-18 in American Rivers Conference games. Luther falls to 19-18 (11-11 conference).

"The story today was our pitching and defense," coach Casey Klunder said. "Errorless baseball plus Declan's solid pitching got it done today."

O'Hare won his third-straight start by striking out six batters over nine innings while allowing one walk and seven hits.

"It is so rare in our conference to shut somebody out, especially with all the runs being scored this year," Klunder said. "It adds an exclamation point to his already fantastic season."

Center fielder Colton DeRocher's (sophomore, Sioux City, East HS) third inning home run provided O'Hare with enough run support. DeRocher also added a double in the first innings. He leads the team in both doubles and home runs. Third baseman Quinn Miller (senior, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) had a two-hit day for the Dutch as well.

"It's good to see Colton get back in the home run category," Klunder said. "We hit some balls some hard and got a few other hits."

Central added an insurance run in the fifth when second baseman Lucas Farren (fifth year, Yorkville, Ill.) scampered home on an error by the catcher after reaching on a leadoff error by the third baseman.

"That was opportunistic baseball by Lucas," Klunder said. "The catcher had a bad throw back to the pitcher and Lucas took advantage of it. The small things really do matter."

Central takes on Luther tomorrow in a noon doubleheader to close out the season.

"To have an opportunity to win the last series of the season is special for these seniors," Klunder said. "It would also be good for the momentum of the program going forward."