Big sixth inning lifts Central over Storm

PELLA - A six-run sixth inning broke open a one-run game as Central ran away with a 12-3 win over Simpson at Kuyper Athletic Complex on Wednesday.

The Storm (15-8, 8-3 Iowa Conference) rallied from a 4-0 deficit with three runs in the fifth, but couldn't recover from Central's run in the sixth. Simpson committed a season-high seven errors in the contest.

Mike Furlong went 2-for-4 on the game with a two-RBI triple in the sixth and Jarred Lackey hit a two-run homer in the sixth for the Dutch (14-10, 4-5). Joel Pulliam (3-2) got the win, striking out seven in eight innings of work.

Dave Johnson went 1-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs and Brad Agan went 2-for-2, driving in one. Mike Huyser (4-3) suffered the loss, allowing nine runs - six earned - off eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Central opened the sixth inning with three-straight singles. With one run in and runners at second and third, Furlong tripled to left center. A bunt single on a squeeze play by Sam Stetzel scored Furlong, and Lackey homered two batters later to close the inning.

Agan singled in Simpson's first run of the game in the fifth after Justin Svehla led off the frame with a single and stole second. Tyler Crandell reached on an error, then Johnson's two-RBI triple scored Crandell and pinch-runner Blake Heitmeier, making the score 4-3.

Simpson returns to action this weekend when it hosts Cornell (2-13, 0-8) in a three-game set at McBride Field. The series gets under way with a nine-inning contest Friday evening. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.