Pennings tosses gem as Storm split with Central

PELLA, Iowa – Matt Pennings had his best outing of the season and the Simpson baseball team provided plenty of run support in a 9-1, game two win over Central to split Tuesday's doubleheader. Central won the opener 9-3.

Pennings was nearly untouchable, the only blemish coming when Kirby Coppess hit a solo homer to lead off the fourth inning. Outside of the fourth, Pennings (2-5) retired Central in order seven times, giving up one run on three hits with nine strikeouts and no walks in the complete-game effort.

Gage Reis hit a two-RBI double in a four-run third inning and Luke Anctil brought in two more on a double as part of a three-run fifth as Simpson built a 9-1 lead.

Jake Scieszinski went 3-for-5 with two RBIs for the Storm (9-22, 5-15 Iowa Conference).

Simpson built a 3-0 lead through 1 1/2 innings in game one before Central scored nine unanswered.

Zach Zylstra, Dakotah Wolken and Noah Stochl had two RBIs apiece for the Dutch (13-18, 9-11), who were out-hit 12-9 but took advantage of four Storm errors in scoring three unearned runs.

Wolken (2-2) tossed three shutout innings in relief to get the win and Zeb Noel (1-6) gave up four runs – three earned – off four hits with two walks in the loss.

Up Next

Simpson goes to No. 8 Wartburg for a four-game set beginning Friday, April 24.