Storm split with Luther, win series

DECORAH - A six-inning effort by Mike Huyser led Simpson to a 2-1 win in game one but Luther scored six runs in the third inning on the way to a 12-1 win in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader.

With a 5-2 win Friday night, the Storm (20-12, 13-7 Iowa Conference) took the series 2-1.

After losses in his last three starts, Huyser (Indianola, Iowa) returned to his mid-season form against the Norse (20-15, 10-9). He gave up four hits and struck out five, getting out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning with only one run crossing the plate.

Huyser improves to 5-4 with the win. Chris Dorff (Urbandale, Iowa) set Luther down in order in the seventh for his second save in as many days.

Simpson trailed 1-0 until the third inning, when Jake Barr (Henderson, Nev.) led off with a double. He scored three batters later on a two-out single by Drew Yarkosky (Albia, Iowa).

Tyler Crandell (Ames, Iowa) scored the winning run when Dave Johnson (West Des Moines, Iowa) reached on an error in the fifth.

Luther's bats came alive in game two, pounding out 10 hits after being held to 11 in the first two games combined.

Chris Reynolds went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and Jordan Greenland went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Matt Reynolds struck out six in the complete-game win.

Simpson committed three errors in the game, allowing eight unearned runs. Dorff (Urbandale, Iowa) allowed four hits and six runs - two earned - in three innings. He falls to 6-4 with the loss.

Blake Heitmeier (Mt. Pleasant, Iowa) drove in Simpson's only run of the game on a fielder's choice in the fifth.

Simpson travels to Grinnell for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, May 3. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.