PELLA—Scattering seven hits over 14 innings, the Central College baseball team rebounded with a Sunday doubleheader sweep over the Univ. of Dubuque. The Dutch won 2-1 and 6-2 to claim two wins in the three-game Iowa Conference series after a 4-3 decision Saturday.

Junior Joel Pulliam tossed a two-hitter in the opener, striking out eight and walking three in the complete-game win. The Spartans' lone tally came from a home run blast in the sixth inning. It's Pulliam's seventh game this season with six or more strikeouts.

In the nightcap sophomore starter Dirk Lindaman yielded just three hits and struck out two. Sophomore Michael Jontz tossed the seventh inning, allowing two hits and striking out one.

"Our pitchers were outstanding this weekend," coach Adam Stevens said. "Joel flat out competed and we were very effective on the mound throughout the day."

But the Dutch offense was also clicking as Central racked up 16 hits including four doubles.

Central was on board early in game one when leadoff hitter Mike Furlong singled and advanced on a sacrifice bunt from center fielder Sam Stetzel. Left fielder Caleb Rangel punched his 11th double of the season to score Furlong. In the third inning, Furlong got on base with a fielder's choice and stole second. He advanced to third off a single from Rangel and scored on a throwing error.

Furlong played catalyst again in the second game, tying his career-best most hits in a game with a 4-for-4 effort, his first of the season. He drove in one run and also scored once.

"When he's on base we tend to score more," Stevens said. "He did well today."

Central took a 1-0 edge in the first inning and posted two runs in the fourth. The Dutch tacked on three runs in the fifth with three doubles, two back-to-back. Second baseman Adam Ariola knocked a double to right center, scoring baserunner Rangel before third baseman Anthony Miller belted another double to right center to score Ariola. First baseman Seth Carson notched his first double of the season to left field to bring in Miller.

"It was nice to see two or three hits in a row," Stevens said. "We haven't strung many hits together lately. We also did well bunting today."

In the field, the Dutch committed just one error in each game. 

"We played good defense consistently," Stevens said. "We did the small things well and ended up having a good day."

Central improves to 16-11 overall with a 6-6 league mark while Dubuque drops to 15-10 overall, 5-9 in the conference

The Dutch travel to Cedar Rapids Friday and Saturday to face Coe College (17-8, 9-4 conference) in a three-game league set. The series begins with a nine-inning contest at 3 p.m. Friday.