Simpson sweeps Augsburg behind Johnson's offense
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Junior shortstop Dave Johnson accumulated five hits and five RBIs as Simpson swept a doubleheader with Augsburg Monday at the Russ Matt Greater Phoenix Invitational. Simpson won game one 5-4 and rolled in game two, 11-2.
Simpson's record improves to 3-3 on the season.
In game one, the first four batters in the lineup provided the bulk of Simpson's production, as Corey Rasmussen, Johnson, Scott Ethell and Brad Agan combined for six of the team's seven hits.
Trailing 4-3 going into the bottom of the fifth, the Storm put runners on second and third thanks to a leadoff single by Johnson and a double by Ethell. Johnson scored the game-tying run on a passed ball in the next at-bat and Ethell scored the game-winner when Agan caught himself in a rundown between first and second after a delayed steal.
Mike Huyser (1-0) picked up the win on the mound, going five innings and allowing five hits and four runs - two earned. After Simpson took the lead in the fifth, Chris Dorff came on to record the team's first save of the season, tossing two hitless innings.
Johnson went 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs scored in game one. Ethell went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs as well.
Simpson got the offense rolling early in game two and never looked back, scoring a season-high 11 runs while tying a season-best with 15 hits in the 11-2 win.
The Storm plated six runs in the first three innings and Rasmussen, Johnson and Ethell all had three hits. Johnson drove in a game-high four RBIs and Tyler Larson went 1-for-3 with three RBIs.
Much of Johnson's run production came thanks to a three-run inside-the-park home run in the second inning, which gave Simpson a 5-0 lead.
Kyle Ruhle (1-0) picked up the win for Simpson, tossing five innings while allowing seven hits and two runs - one earned - and striking out three. Jose Rodriguez threw the final two relief innings without allowing a hit.
On tap for Simpson Tuesday is a single game against Johns Hopkins at 12:30 p.m. CST.
