Smith's clutch hit helps Storm earn split with Luther

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson baseball team split its doubleheader with Luther on Friday afternoon, winning game one 2-1 before losing the nightcap 14-0 in seven innings.

Simpson and Luther conclude their four game series Saturday with a 1 p.m. start at McBride Field.

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Simpson 2, Luther 1

Bud Smith drove in the winning run, and Simpson scored twice in its final at-bat in a come-from-behind win.

A pair of walks and a sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third for Jake Scieszinski, who brought in the tying run on a groundout. The next batter, Smith gave the Storm (4-11, 2-4 Iowa Conference) a 2-1 lead with a liner up the middle.

Staff ace Matt Pennings earned his first win of the season, going the distance without allowing an earned run. The Norse (6-6, 1-1) mustered just five hits on Pennings (1-4), who struck out five and walked two.

Control issues hurt Luther starter Alec Knop (1-2), who gave up just two hits but walked seven on the day.

Luther 14, Simpson 0 (7 innings)

Zach Hendrikson had three hits, a home run and four RBIs as Luther jumped all over starter Zeb Noel in the nightcap.

The first five batters reached base in the second  inning – including back-to-back doubles by Aldon Severson and Hendrickson – as Luther took a 3-0 lead. Hendrickson's solo shot in the third fueled another three-run inning for a 6-0 lead.

Gage Reis went 2-for-3, the only Simpson player with multiple hits. Noel (0-3) gave up eight runs – all earned – in five innings.