An explosive seventh inning helped the Central College baseball team take the first game of an Iowa Conference series with Luther College, as the Dutch defeated the Norse 10-3 Friday.  Central pounded Luther for 17 hits and put up seven runs in the seventh inning to back up pitcher Dirk Lindaman – who threw 8.1 innings and improved to 5-1 this season.
The Dutch offense was led by shortstop Mike Furlong and second baseman Adam Ariola, who each tallied three hits, two RBIs and scored two runs.  One of Furlong’s hits was a triple – the 12th of his career – tying the school record set by Adam Duerfeldt.  
On the mound, Lindaman held Luther scoreless for six innings, ultimately allowing three earned runs on nine hits.  With the win, the Central baseball team holds on to the fifth seed in next week’s Iowa Conference tournament with a 12-10 league record and a 22-15 mark overall.  
The Dutch finish the series with the Norse today with a doubleheader in Decorah.  At stake for Luther is a shot at the final remaining spot in the conference tournament.