Western Dubuque converts in final inning for 3-2 win over Center Point-Urbana

CEDAR RAPIDS — Western Dubuque’s Hunter Quagliano watched the situation unfold.

The Bobcats’ Clayten Lindecker and Jake Goodman walked, leaving Center Point-Urbana with a decision to make about facing elite all-state performer Brett Harris in a tie game with an empty base.

Quagliano’s prediction came true as Harris was intentionally walked, placing the finish in his hands.

“I knew it was coming,” Quagliano said. “I was ready for it. I’m grateful everybody in front of me got on base and gave me that opportunity to put the ball in play with one out.”

Quagliano drove the ball into right field deep enough for Grant Glausser to tag up at third and race home for the decisive run in the bottom of the seventh in a 3-2 victory over Center Point-Urbana in a non-conference baseball game Wednesday night at Mount Mercy’s Plaster Athletic Complex. The win followed a 6-5 loss to Mount Vernon in the first game.

“It was a good experience for our guys,” Western Dubuque’s Casey Bryant said. “Any time you can play two pressure-packed close games this time of year to get you tuned into the tournament atmosphere is good for you.”

Quagliano understood but still felt slighted. He wanted to make CPU regret the decision, recording the sacrifice fly. The senior wanted to put the ball in play. Quagliano wasn’t too selective and the result was his 17th RBI of the season. A game-winning one at that.

“To be honest, I kind of blacked out up there,” Quagliano said. “I was ready to hit anything that crossed that plate. I knew Grant Glausser was going to get home if I gave him a chance because he’s a quick guy.

“I’m glad everything went right.”

Lindecker walked, advanced to second on Ben Wernimont’s sacrifice and reached third on a wild pitch. Goodman’s base on balls put runners on first and third with one out. After a brief huddle, the Stormin’ Pointers opted to put Harris on base, setting up Quagliano’s heroics.

“We all gained more trust for each other,” Quagliano said. “Clayten got on base, giving us a rush at the bottom of the order and flipping over to the top. I felt good with everyone trusting in me to get that hit at the end.”

Interestingly, CPU (17-6) had a similar chance to score in the top of the seventh. Blayze Havel led off with a line drive single to left and Talan Rissi walked. Bryer Wiley put down a bunt single, loading the bases with none out. Bobcats pitcher Tanner Anderson thwarted the rally, getting a groundout for a force at home and closing with consecutive strikeouts.

“He got tough and kind of got after it a little bit,” Bryant said. “He just decided he wasn’t going to let them score. He got a couple big strikeouts.”

Wiley helped give CPU a 1-0 lead in the opening inning. He led off with a double and scored on a Trevor Antes single.

Western Dubuque grabbed its first lead in the third. Harris singled to drive in Goodman. Glausser, a courtesy runner for Harris, scored on Collin McDermott’s base hit for a 2-1 advantage.

CPU knotted the game at 2-2. Havel singled and scored on a Carter Andrews sacrifice fly in the fifth. Wiley and Havel led the Stormin’ Pointers with two hits apiece.

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