Greiner's three hits spark Storm in split with No. 8 Wartburg

WAVERLY, Iowa - Jonathan Greiner had three hits and sparked a four-run, third inning that helped the Simpson baseball team pull away in a 9-5, game-two win of a doubleheader split against No. 8 Wartburg on Sunday. Wartburg won game one 5-0.

Greiner had two RBIs in game two and drove in the first run of the third inning for the Storm (10-23, 6-16 Iowa Conference). Austin Burlin and Taylor Harmon followed with run-scoring singles and Simpson added another run on a wild pitch to take a 5-3 lead.

Simpson rode the right arm of Matt Pennings to the win. A winner in his last two starts, Pennings (3-5) wasn't overpowering, but pieced together his second straight complete-game win. He gave up five runs – all earned – on 11 hits with four strikeouts and three walks in nine innings.

Greiner finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and Bud Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, a RBI and a run scored.

In all, the last five spots in Simpson's game-two lineup – Greiner, Burlin, Harmon, Smith, Adam Richman and Luke Anctil – accounted for seven RBIs and six runs scored. Anctil drove in a run as a pinch-hitter for Richman in the eighth.

The offense wasn't as effective in the opener.

Wartburg starter Taylor Gilson held Simpson to four hits in the shutout, striking out four and walking four. Gilson (7-1) didn't allow a runner past second base.

DJ Utley went 2-for-2 with two RBIs, including a sacrifice fly in a four-run third for the Knights (28-9, 18-8). Ryan Kemp also had a RBI in the frame, which proved to be Simpson's undoing.

Jalen Sickels (0-3) suffered the loss, giving up four runs – three earned – off three hits in two innings.

Up Next

Simpson concludes its four-game set at Wartburg on Monday with a doubleheader beginning at 3:30 p.m.