Simpson sweeps doubleheader, series against Cornell

MT. VERNON, Iowa - Scott Ethell (Knoxville, Iowa/Knoxville) went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs and eight hurlers held Cornell to three runs off nine hits as Simpson swept a doubleheader against Cornell Tuesday evening at Ash Park Field, 6-2 and 5-1.

Ethell and Zach Smith (Indianola, Iowa/Indianola) drove in two runs each in game one, as Simpson took a 3-1 lead after two innings. A two-run single by Ethell added two more runs in the fifth as the Storm (15-8, 9-3 IIAC) cruised to a 6-2 win in the opener.

The second of four pitchers to take the hill for Simpson, Kyle Ruehle (Cherokee, Iowa/Washington) improved his record to 4-1 on the year with the win. He tossed two perfect innings and issued two walks.

 Corey Rasmussen (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) set a career-high with three stolen bases in the game, tying for the second-highest single game total in school history.

In game two, Simpson capitalized on two errors by the Rams (4-17, 2-10) to score four unearned runs in the fourth inning. Bobby Bieniek (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) and Tyler Crandell (Ames, Iowa/Ames) drove in runs in the inning, when both Cornell errors and all four Simpson runs came after the first two batters were retired.

Kyle Hanna (Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny) got credit for the game two win, allowing only one hit in the third and fourth innings while striking out three. Starter Paul Brown (Polk City, Iowa/North Polk) added three strikeouts in two innings, Mark Butler (Lincoln, Calif./Lincoln) struck out two and Chris Dorff (Urbandale, Iowa/West Des Moines Valley) added a strikeout as Storm pitchers fanned nine batters in the game.

Simpson continues conference play when it hosts Buena Vista in a three-game set this weekend at McBride Field. Game one's first pitch is set for 6 p.m. Friday followed by a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.