Simpson handcuffed by Ozarks in opener

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – Runs were hard to come by for the Simpson baseball team in its first outing of the season, dropping a 6-1 decision to the University of the Ozarks at the Ozarks Baseball Classic on Friday afternoon.

Jeffrey Works threw 4 2/3 hitless innings in the complete-game four-hitter for the Eagles (1-2), who jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first and never looked back.

Michael Prusator had a hit and two RBIs for Ozarks.

Kyle Ruehle (0-1) suffered the loss for the Storm (0-1), who dented the plate in the eighth inning off an RBI single by Jake Barr.

Ruehle allowed only two hits in six innings, but walked six batters and hit two more. Five free passes came in the tumultuous first inning, as four bases on balls and one hit batter helped Ozarks to the early lead.

Pedro Rosa broke up Works' no-hitter with a two-out double in the fifth, the only extra-base hit of the game.

The Ozarks Baseball Classic continues Saturday when the Storm take on Millsaps at 10 a.m.