Blasting three home runs and adding another trio of extra-base hits, the Central College baseball team opened its weekend series against Simpson College with a 12-9 win heard live on 94.3 KNIA and 92.1 KRLS Saturday afternoon.

Central pounded out 13 total hits, including three apiece from second baseman Logan McCoy, left fielder Chase Martin and shortstop Kasey Carter. Carter had a double and a triple and Martin had a triple. The big flies came off the bats of three different Dutch players. Chance Dreyer’s first inning home run drove in three runs. Third baseman Declan O’Hare added a solo shot in the second inning before right fielder Colton DeRocher had a three-run shot of his own in the sixth inning.

Dreyer came out victorious in a dual of freshman pitchers, striking out nine over 6.2 innings and allowing five earned runs. He scattered eight hits and walked just two. Sam Staley gave up a pair of runs in 1.2 innings of relief work before Parker Jones closed out the day with two outs and his third save of the season.

Simpson countered with 10 hits of their own, including two home runs from Ryan Willis and Brady Held and three doubles. Easton Dunwoody suffered the loss for the Storm, surrendering seven runs with just three being earned on five hits and three walks in 2.1 innings.

The series continues today for Central and Simpson with a 1 p.m. doubleheader.