Storm suffer doubleheader sweep at Central

PELLA, Iowa – Central scored seven unanswered runs in a game one win and put up two in extra innings to win game two, sweeping the Simpson baseball team 7-2 and 4-3 Tuesday afternoon.

The two teams entered the day tied for first in the Iowa Conference.

Tyler Crandell went 5-for-8 with a home run to lead Simpson (11-11, 5-3 Iowa Conference). Jake Barr had four hits and Michael Chia and Grant Thomas had three each.

Simpson got out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of game one before surrendering seven unanswered the remainder of the contest. After getting three hits in the first, the Storm managed four the rest of the way.

Starter Jose Rodriguez took the loss, allowing five runs – two earned – in five innings of work. He struck out four.

Max Seeman singled home the winning run in the bottom of the eighth in game two, helping Central come back from a 3-2 deficit to start the inning. Chia gave Simpson a 3-2 lead in the top of the inning, singling home Crandell.

Crandell went 3-for-3 with a sacrifice fly to lead Simpson in the nightcap. Aaron Young shut down Central in relief of starter Jake Scieszinski, allowing only one hit in 5 2/3 innings to line Simpson up for the win. Chris Dorff (3-3) came out for the eighth, suffering the loss.

Seeman and Allen Mann had three hits each to lead the Dutch (17-4, 7-1), who moved into sole possession of first place in the conference.

The Storm begin a three-game set at Coe on Friday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. Friday with Saturday's doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.