Simpson baseball opens season with doubleheader sweep

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. - Simpson opened the 2011 season with a doubleheader sweep of the University of the Ozarks on Friday, winning game one 14-2 in seven innings and taking game two 9-6 in 10 innings.

Dave Johnson went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and four RBIs in game one and the Storm (2-0) used a seven-run fourth inning en-route to run-ruling Ozarks.

Zach Smith added a home run and three RBIs and Trent Svehla drove in a pair and hit two doubles. Mike Huyser (1-0) earned the win, going five scoreless while allowing one hit and striking out five.

A bases-loaded walk issued to freshman Jake Barr with two outs in the 10th brought in the winning run in game two. Tyler Crandell's 2-RBI single provided a three-run cushion, more than enough for Chris Dorff to close the door on his first win of the season.

Crandell went 2-for-6 with a home run and five RBIs. Smith drove in a run on his lone hit of the game, a two-out base knock that tied the game at six in the ninth inning, forcing the extra frame.

Dorff threw the final 1 2/3 innings, holding the Eagles (2-6) hitless and striking out two. Starter Kyle Ruehle didn't allow a hit in five innings of work.

Simpson led the game 5-1 going into the bottom of the seventh before Ozarks put together a five-run inning.

The Storm complete their three-game series with Ozarks tomorrow. First pitch is set for Noon.