The Central College baseball team outslugged Dickinson State with a record-breaking 21 hits, cruising to a 20-10 victory before struggling to shut out Marian, falling 5-4 in extra innings Thursday night.

Dickinson jumped on top with two runs in the first inning, but the Dutch responded immediately in the second, cranking out nine runs and adding two more in the third. The Blue Hawks added a tally in the fourth before putting together a seven-run sixth inning. Central came back with two runs of their own before breaking things open with seven runs in the seventh, shortening the game with a 10-run margin.

With 21 hits, Central’s performance at the plate edged the previous team record of 20, set against Buena Vista in 2000 and St. Michael’s 2004.

It’s the fourth time this season Central has reached double-digit hits.

Sophomore Ryan Goetzinger (Mason City) snagged the win on the mound.

Playing as the visiting team in the nightcap, Central outhit Marian 11-8 and held a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. But the Dutch were unable to close the door as the Sabres scored twice to take things into a tenth inning, where they held Central scoreless before gathering a run to capture the win.

Joel Pulliam had the start for the Dutch, pitching seven and two-thirds innings. Bret Bell threw one-third and D.J. Glasgow was tagged with the loss, finishing out the game in the ninth and tenth.

Central, now 8-3, plays St. John’s (Minn.) Friday at 1 p.m. Mountain Time. The Johnnies sport a 3-2 record and compiled a 21-18 campaign last season.