Smith's infield single gives Simpson series win against Loras

INDIANOLA, Iowa - An infield single by Zach Smith (Indianola, Iowa/Indianola) with two outs in the bottom of the seventh brought home the winning run as Simpson defeated Loras in game two of Saturday's doubleheader at McBride Field, 5-4. Loras won game one 7-3, but Simpson won the series 2-1 after a 20-15 win Friday night.

Trailing 3-0 after three innings and 4-1 through 4 1/2, Simpson plated three runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game. In the seventh, Tyler Crandell (Ames, Iowa/Ames) singled to lead off the inning and stole second, advancing to third on an errant throw by Loras catcher John Schroeder on the steal.

After a Corey Rasmussen (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) strikeout gave Simpson its second out, Smith hit a sharp grounder to Loras shortstop Ben Kuebel. Keubel made an attempt at a backhand stab in the hole, but couldn't field the ball cleanly as Smith beat out the throw.

Crandell led the Storm (13-8, 7-3 IIAC) at the plate, going 3-for-6 with two RBIs and three runs scored on the day. Smith collected two hits and two RBIs and Dave Johnson (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) blasted his league-leading seventh homer of the season with a solo shot in the fourth inning of game two.

Rasmussen extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a single in his final at-bat in game one, but went 0-for-3 with an RBI in game two to end the run.

Paul Brown (Polk City, Iowa/North Polk) held the Duhawks (7-13, 2-5) to one hit over the final two innings to pick up the win in a relief appearance. Starter Mike Huyser (Indianola, Iowa/Indianola) went five innings in the no-decision.

Loras did all of its damage in the first three innings of game one, chalking seven tallies. BJ Juergens went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs in the contest.

Simpson will finish its series against Cornell with a mid-week visit to Mt. Vernon Wednesday, April 13. The two teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.