Storm walk off opener, settle for split with Buena Vista

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Simpson delivered late-inning drama in the opener but couldn't carry the momentum into game two, settling for a doubleheader split with Buena Vista on Friday.

Simpson (22-16, 13-10 A-R-C) rallied from behind in the opener, using a two-run single by Tijmen Nagel in the ninth to complete the comeback and secure a 6-5 win. In game two, Buena Vista (10-27, 6-17 A-R-C) struck early with four runs in the first and added on late to keep the Storm from mounting another comeback in a 10-5 decision.

With the win in game one and a series victory over Wartburg earlier this season, Simpson clinched the No. 3 seed in next week's American Rivers Conference Tournament, the team's highest regular season finish since 2008.

GAME ONE SUMMARY

• The Beavers struck first with a pair of runs in the opening inning and added another in the fifth to take a 3-1 lead. Trenten Kingrey put Simpson on the board with a solo home run in the fourth, and the Storm answered in the fifth when Tanner Schark delivered a two-run single to even the game at 3-3.
• Buena Vista regained control in the sixth with a two-run double, but Simpson chipped away in the seventh, scoring on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to one.
• Trailing 5-4 entering the ninth, the Storm completed the comeback as Tijmen Nagel lined a two-run single down the left field line, bringing home the tying and winning runs to secure the 6-5 victory.

GAME ONE LEADERS

• Tijmen Nagel: 1 hit, 2 RBI
• Tanner Schark: 1 hit, 2 RBI, 1 walk, 1 run
• Trenten Kingery: 1 home run, 1 RBI, 1 run
• Nate Cagley: 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 run
• Jake Edenburn: 3.2 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 3 strikeouts

GAME TWO SUMMARY

• The Beavers plated four runs in the first inning to take an early lead.
• Simpson got on the board in the second with a solo home run from Kasey Carter and later cut the deficit to 4-2 on an RBI single by Bryson Gibson in the sixth.
• Buena Vista extended its lead in the seventh with three runs and added three more in the eighth to pull away.
• Simpson pushed across three runs in the ninth, drawing multiple bases-loaded walks and adding a sacrifice fly, but the late rally fell short.

GAME TWO LEADERS

• Kasey Carter: 3 hits, 1 home run, 1 RBI, 2 runs
• Trenten Kingrey: 2 hits, 1 double, 1 RBI
• Jacob Roberts: 1 double, 1 RBI, 2 walks

UP NEXT
Simpson wraps up the regular season with a single game against the Beavers tomorrow at 2 p.m. The Storm will recognize their senior class of 10 prior to the contest.