Storm slide past Loras for series sweep

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Tyler Craig hit his second home run of the season, Aaron Young threw six strong innings and the Simpson baseball team completed the series sweep of Loras with a  5-1 win on Sunday afternoon at McBride Field.

Jake Barr went 3-for-4 at the plate for the Storm (9-8, 3-0 Iowa Conference), who join Central as one of only two unbeaten teams in the league who were in action over the weekend.

Clay Henricksen went 3-for-5 with an RBI to lead the Duhawks (8-8, 0-3).

Craig broke a scoreless tie in the third inning when he sent a towering shot to right that stayed just inside the foul pole.

Simpson added two more runs in the fifth. After Craig's second hit loaded the bases, Ethan Hale drove in Barr with an infield single off starting pitcher Adam Schwoebel's foot. Taylor Nelson made the score 4-0 with a sacrifice fly to center in the next at-bat.

Young (2-2) threw six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out five. He ran into trouble in the seventh after issuing a leadoff walk and hitting Mike Canevello. But reliever Jose Rodriguez got out of the jam with minimal damage, allowing one run to cross before retiring the next three batters.

Rodriguez closed out the final three innings for his first save of the season, striking out four. Schwoebel (2-1) took the loss for Loras.

Simpson will stay at the friendly confines next weekend when Luther comes to town for a three-game set.  The series begins with a 6 p.m. start Friday, March 30 and concludes with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.