Simpson splits twinbill with Coe

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Colton Calvert drove in three runs as Simpson split a doubleheader with Coe Saturday afternoon at Daniels Park, losing game one 4-3 before taking the nightcap, 3-2.

Calvert drove in two runs in the opener and added another RBI in game two, going 3-for-6 with two runs scored on the day. After sweeping Luther in a three-game series to begin the conference season last weekend, the Storm (10-6, 4-1 IIAC) managed a crucial split with the Kohawks (10-7, 3-2), who were the preseason pick to win the Iowa Conference.

Simpson plated all three runs in the third inning of game two, taking advantage of two Coe errors in the frame. Scott Ethell's RBI double brought home the first run and he came around to score one batter later on a single from Calvert. Calvert scored the third run of the inning on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Pawletzki.

Mike Huyser earned the game two victory, tossing five innings. Huyser (3-1) allowed eight hits and two runs before Paul Brown retired 6 of 7 batters in the final two innings to earn the save. Brown struck out three of the seven batters he faced for his second save of the year.

The Storm got out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning of game one, but Coe answered with three in the second inning and tacked on the winning run in the sixth to take the 4-3 win.

Ethell went 2-for-4 at the plate, Calvert collected two RBIs and Grant Thomas added another in the game one loss. Clint Rhodes suffered the loss on the mound, surrendering four runs in six innings of work. Rhodes (2-2) struck out three and gave up eight hits.

Simpson and Coe will rest Easter Sunday before completing the three-game series with a nine-inning contest Monday at 3 p.m. in Cedar Rapids.