Storm drop extra-inning battle to Buena Vista

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Aaron Young threw nine-plus innings and Simpson led for most of the game, but Buena Vista scored twice in the 10th for a 3-1 win Friday night at McBride Field.

Nick Schlecht tripled off the wall in center, scoring the eventual winning run for the Beavers (15-12, 7-6 Iowa Conference).

Weston Foxx and Ryan Titman had two hits apiece and pinch-hitter Dylan Colo added an insurance run on a suicide squeeze.

Young (3-5) threw 135 pitches in 9 1/3 innings for the Storm (14-17, 8-8). The left-hander struck out five and didn't allow a run until the eighth, when a dropped fly ball in the outfield allowed the tying run to score.

Simpson got on the board by way of a passed ball in the third inning. Ethan Hale singled with one out, advanced to second on a walk to Brett Crable and took third on a well-placed bunt single by Jake Barr.

Barr went 2-for-5 at the plate, the only Simpson player with multiple hits. After the third inning, the Storm didn't advance a runner to third until the final frame.

Reliever Griffin Hatten threw 5 2/3 innings of relief after starter Ian Grigsby left in the top of the third with an injured throwing hand. James Stone (2-1) held Simpson hitless in the final 2 1/3.

Hale led off the final half inning with a walk and moved to third when Michael Chia reached on an infield error. But Stone got Tyler Craig to ground out to short for the final out.

Simpson and Buena Vista will conclude their three-game series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.