Simpson answers late surge, earns first series win

INDIANOLA, Iowa – A back-and-forth finale ended in Simpson's favor as the Storm outlasted Wis.-Eau Claire 9-7 to earn their first series win of the season.

Sam Campin led the early charge, driving in Kasey Carter with an RBI double in the second before breaking a 1-1 tie in the fourth with a two-run home run to left. The Storm (2-1) added one more in the inning on an RBI single from Drew Carlson and extended the lead to 5-1 in the fifth when Bryson Gibson singled home Matthew Florence. Carter's RBI single in the sixth pushed the advantage to 6-2.

Wis.-Eau Claire (1-2) surged in the seventh, capitalizing on a mix of extra-base hits and Simpson errors to score five runs, three unearned, and take a 7-6 lead. The Storm answered immediately in the bottom half. Tyler Deal drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game, Trenten Kingrey followed with an RBI fielder's choice to put Simpson back in front, and Preston Glatt added a sacrifice fly to cap a three-run response.

Simpson held off the Blugolds over the final two innings to secure the 9-7 win and take the series. Carlson picked up the win after moving from second to the mound in the seventh inning. Jake Edenburn came in to record the final three outs for the win.

SIMPSON STARS

• Kasey Carter: 4-for-5, 1 RBI, 2 runs
• Sam Campin: 1 double, 1 home run, 3 RBI, 1 run, 1 walk
• Drew Carlson: 2 hits, 1 RBI, 2 runs
• Nate Cagley: 2 hits
• Jacob Roberts: 2 hits, 1 run
• Easton Dunwoody: 5.0 IP, 4 strikeouts, 1 unearned run

UP NEXT
Simpson remains home to host Saint John's (Minn.) for another three-game nonconference series next weekend.