Pitching helps Storm earn split with Buena Vista

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Starter Paul Brown (Polk City, Iowa/North Polk) handcuffed league-leading Buena Vista with a complete-game effort and got just enough run support as Simpson earned a 1-0 win in game one against the Beavers Saturday afternoon at McBride Field.

Buena Vista countered with a 9-1 win in the nightcap, taking a 2-1 series win. 

In only his second start of the season, Brown (2-0) struck out eight batters and allowed only three runners into scoring position in the five-hit shutout. The junior right-hander gave Simpson its second-straight complete-game, five-hit performance – but unlike Friday night, the offense came through when it mattered.

The Storm (16-10, 10-5 IIAC) bunted three times in the fifth inning- twice for hits – and scored the winning run on a suicide squeeze attempt. After a bunt single by Corey Rasmussen (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) put runners at the corners, Zach Smith (Indianola, Iowa/Indianola) laid a perfect bunt down the first-base line and avoided the tag to bring home Justin Svehla (Lincoln, Neb./Northeast).

Svehla, who singled to lead-off the fifth, was one of three Simpson players with two hits. Smith and Dave Johnson (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) also collected two base hits.

The Beavers (15-8, 10-2) scored all nine runs in the final four innings of their game-two victory. Brandon Pietrzyk went 3-for-3 with two RBI and pitchers Steve Johnston and James Stone held Simpson to three hits in the win.

Simpson's lone run came in the fourth inning when an outfield throwing error allowed Scott Ethell (Knoxville, Iowa/Knoxville) to score from third.

Ethell's run pulled Simpson within 2-1, but the Beavers put up four in the fifth to pull away. Mike Huyser (Indianola, Iowa/Indianola) suffered the loss, giving up two runs in four innings.

Simpson returns to conference action next weekend when it travels to Pella for a three-game set with Central. The series begins with a nine-inning contest at 3 p.m. Friday, April 23 and concludes with a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.