Simpson advances past Loras, remains alive in A-R-C Tournament

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Third-seeded Simpson used a season-high 19 hits to defeat sixth-seeded Loras 12-6 in the opening round of the American Rivers Conference Tournament on Thursday.

The Storm (24-17) erased an early three-run deficit with five runs in the third inning and seven more in the sixth. Tanner Schark went 4-for-5 with a three-run home run, while Charlie Thomas improved to 8-0 on the season after striking out eight across 7.0 innings.

Simpson advanced to play second-seeded Coe in the second round, ultimately falling 9-1. Despite the setback, Simpson remains alive in the double-elimination tournament and will continue play Friday at 6 p.m. against the winner of the Loras-Luther elimination game.

GAME ONE SUMMARY

• Loras (19-20) struck quickly with three runs in the first inning, highlighted by a solo home run and two additional RBI plays to grab an early advantage.
• The Storm answered in the third, erupting for five runs to take control. Bryson Gibson started the rally with a two-run double down the right field line before Nate Cagley tied the game with an RBI single. Kasey Carter followed with a sacrifice fly to give Simpson the lead, and Tanner Schark capped the inning with an RBI single for a 5-3 edge.
• After Loras tied the game in the fourth, Simpson broke things open again in the sixth. Drew Carlson delivered a two-run triple to regain the lead before Gibson and Dalton Ferrin each added RBI hits. Schark then put the game out of reach with a three-run home run to right field, capping a seven-run inning and extending the lead to 12-5.

GAME ONE LEADERS

• Tanner Schark: 4-for-5, 1 home run, 4 RBI
• Bryson Gibson: 3 hits, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, 2 runs
• Drew Carlson: 3 hits, 1 triple, 2 RBI, 2 runs
• Dalton Ferrin: 2 hits, 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 run
• Charlie Thomas: 7.0 IP, 8 strikeouts

GAME TWO SUMMARY

• Simpson scored first in the opening inning when Trenten Kingrey doubled to right field to score Tijmen Nagel, but the Kohawks (28-12) responded with a run in the bottom half before breaking the game open in the third.
• Coe scored seven runs in the inning on five hits, aided by a wild pitch and passed ball, to build an 8-1 advantage. The Kohawks later added another run in the sixth to account for the final margin.

GAME TWO LEADERS

• Jacob Roberts: 2 hits, 2 doubles
• Nate Cagley: 2 hits
• Trenten Kingrey: 1 hit, 1 double, 1 RBI
• Bryson Gibson: 1 hit, 1 walk

NOTES

• Simpson's 24 wins are the most since tallying 25 in 2008.
• Charlie Thomas improved to 8-0 with the win in game one, achieving the highest win total by a Simpson pitcher since 1999.
• Trenten Kingrey tied the school record for doubles in a season (18) in game two.
• The Storm are now 40-40 all-time in the conference tournament.

UP NEXT
Simpson takes on the winner of No. 6 Loras and No. 1 Luther tomorrow night at 6 p.m.