PELLA — The Central College baseball team exploded for 25 runs in its two wins over North Central University (Minn.), 11-0 (7 innings), 14-1 (7 innings) Saturday.

Central (8-11) combined for 29 hits over the two games and held North Central (1-10) to just six.

Sophomore shortstop Garrett Saunders (Bonaparte, Van Buren HS) set the tone early for the Dutch going 3-for-3 in game one and finished 5-for-6 for the day with three doubles and three RBIs. Saunders extended his on-base streak to 19 games.

"Garrett's doing a great job at the plate," said coach Matt Schirm.

Freshman outfielder Tanner Wood (Pella) launched his first career homerun during game one and finished 4-for-7 with six RBIs, senior outfielder Seth Griffiths (Ottumwa) went 4-for-9 with four RBIs, including a 2-run homerun, extending his hit streak to 10 games and senior outfielder Jacob Hirst (Davenport, Assumption HS) finished 3-for-5 with two doubles and scored three runs in the doubleheader.

"I felt like we hit the ball the way we should have today," said Schirm.

Junior pitcher Dylan Diveney (Marshalltown) threw four innings, striking out five and allowing one hit in game one.

"Dylan threw a lot of first-pitch strikes today which set the tone for the day," said Schirm.

Sophomore pitcher Charlie Palmer (Chariton) earned the win in game one, throwing three innings, allowing one run and striking out five batters.

In the nightcap, freshman pitcher Nicholas Long (Marshalltown, East Marshall HS) was credited the win after throwing five innings, giving up four hits, walking three and striking out three.

"Pitching was good today, three walks over five innings from Nick was a little more than we'd like but overall a good day," said Schirm.

Central returns to Iowa Conference play Tuesday with a doubleheader against Luther College at Decorah with first pitch at noon. The Dutch split with the Norse 2-2 last season, including a 20-17 slugfest April 2 at Pella.