Simpson sweeps Central in midweek doubleheader

INDIANOLA, Iowa – A productive night at the plate lifted the Simpson College baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of Central on Tuesday night at McBride Field.

The Storm (21-12, 12-6 A-R-C) used a pair of big innings to pull away for a 14-4 run-rule victory in the opening game and completed the series sweep with a 14-6 win in game two. Simpson broke the second game open with a seven-run seventh inning after Central (13-19, 8-10 A-R-C) had cut the deficit to one.

With the wins, Simpson secured its first 20-win season since 2014 and holds firm in second place in American Rivers Conference standings.

GAME ONE SUMMARY

• After Central grabbed an early lead in the first, the Storm answered immediately and took control with a five-run second inning. Tijmen Nagel delivered the big blow with a three-run double, while Trenten Kingrey followed with an RBI single to give Simpson a 5-1 advantage.
• Simpson continued to add on in the middle innings, pushing its lead to 7-1 before Central trimmed the deficit with a two-run fifth. The Storm responded with a run of their own in the bottom half and added another in the sixth to maintain control.
• The game broke open in the eighth, as Simpson plated five runs to secure the run-rule win. Nagel homered to lead off the inning, Drew Carlson added a two-run triple, and Kasey Carter and Sam Campin each drove in a run to cap the scoring.
• On the mound, Carlson (4-1) earned the win, allowing four runs over 5.0 innings with four strikeouts. Jake Edenburn was sharp in relief, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings with four strikeouts to close out the victory and grab his fourth save.

GAME ONE LEADERS

• Tijmen Nagel: 3-for-5, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 runs
• Drew Carlson: 2 hits, 3 RBI, 1 walk, 2 runs; W, 5.0 IP, 4 strikeouts
• Trenten Kingrey: 3-for-5, 2 RBI, 1 run
• Sam Campin: 1 hit, 3 RBI

GAME TWO SUMMARY

• The Storm wasted no time setting the tone, scoring three runs in the first inning behind a two-run single from Nate Cagley and an RBI hit-by-pitch from Dalton Ferrin. Simpson added three more in the second, highlighted by a solo home run from Tijmen Nagel, and extended its lead to 7-0 through three innings.
• Central responded with a six-run fifth inning to cut the deficit to 7-6.
• Simpson answered in a big way in the seventh, plating five runs to regain control. Tanner Schark drove in a run with a bunt single, Jacob Roberts followed with an RBI knock, and the Storm capitalized on defensive miscues to extend the lead. Drew Carlson and Bryson Gibson each added RBI hits in the inning as Simpson pushed the advantage to 13-6.
• The Storm added one more in the eighth to cap the scoring.
• Out of the bullpen, Charlie Thomas (7-0) earned the win with 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out three, while Dylan Schlee closed the door with two shutout frames.

GAME TWO LEADERS

• Jacob Roberts: 2 hits, 2 RBI, 2 walks, 2 runs, 1 stolen base
• Bryson Gibson: 2 hits, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 walk, 1 run
• Nate Cagley: 2 hits, 2 RBI
• Tijmen Nagel: 1 home run, 2 runs, 1 stolen base

NOTES

• Charlie's seven wins on the mound are the most in a season by a Storm pitcher since Jared Sass won seven games in 2008.
• Simpson reaches 20 wins for the 20th time in school history and the first time since 2014.
• The Storm have won three straight series over the Dutch and five of the last six. Simpson's last series sweep was in 2021.

UP NEXT
Simpson faces A-R-C leader Luther this weekend in Decorah.