Storm sweep Dutch, improve to 7-0 in IIAC

INDIANOLA - Starters Kyle Ruehle and Chris Dorff pitched complete-game gems, Dave Johnson doubled home the winning run in game two and Simpson remained undefeated in conference play with a doubleheader sweep of Central on Tuesday at McBride Field.

The Storm (14-5, 7-0 Iowa Conference) won game one 9-1 and scored three in the sixth for a 3-0 win in game two. The sweep improves the team's winning streak to seven, the largest by a Simpson team since the 2006 squad won its first seven games.

A key to Simpson's run has been starting pitching. Storm starters have went the distance in each of the last four games, allowing only four total runs.

The Dutch (12-8, 3-5) suffered their fourth and fifth losses in a row.

Game 1 - Simpson 9, Central 1
Ruehle allowed only one unearned run in his second complete game of the season and Simpson scored eight runs combined in the second and third innings in the 9-1 win.

Tyler Crandell went 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs, Justin Svehla drove in three and Drew Yarkosky had two RBIs for the Storm. Ruehle (1-1) scattered seven hits and struck out four in the win.

Caleb Rangel went 2-for-4, the only Central player with multiple hits. Simpson chased starter Joel Pulliam (2-2) after touching him up for eight runs - three earned - off nine hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Game 2 - Simpson 3, Central 0
Johnson's double off the left field wall scored pinch-runner Jake Barr in the sixth, breaking a scoreless tie in Simpson's 3-0 win.

Deadlocked in a pitcher's duel between Dorff and Central's Michael Jontz, reining Iowa Conference Athlete of the Week, Trent Svehla singled to lead off the inning. Johnson battled the undefeated Jontz deep into the count before taking him off the wall in left.

Johnson added an insurance run on a Zach Smith single, who scored the third run of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Justin Svehla.

Dorff (4-2) held Central to four hits, struck out three and got out of a jam in the sixth.

Mike Furlong led off the frame with a single, stole second and moved to third with one out on a long fly-out to center. The next batter, Adam Ariola hit a gronder to Johnson at short. With Furlong heading home, Johnson fired to the plate where Yarkosky applied the tag to keep the score tied 0-0.

Jontz (3-1) suffered the loss, striking out three and allowing two runs.

The only remaining unbeaten team in league play, Simpson travels to Waverly this weekend for a three-game set with Wartburg. Game one is Friday, April 8, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. The series concludes with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday.