Reis throws gem in split with Bethany Lutheran

TUCSON, Ariz. - Gage Reis threw a two-hit shutout, Luke Anctil homered and the Simpson baseball team split a doubleheader Thursday against Bethany Lutheran, losing game one 15-1 before winning the nightcap 3-0 on the final day of the Tucson Invitational.

Reis turned in what was easily the best pitching performance of the year for the Storm (3-7), striking out five and walking just one. The senior faced the minimum through three innings and retired the last six batters in order.

Simpson got on the board in the third, sparked by a two-out triple from Trent Dooley. Anctil drove in the run on a single, then hit his first career home run in the fifth. Austin Burlin tripled to lead off the fifth before scoring on a balk. 

Burlin finished 2-for-3 with a double and a triple. The senior outfielder closes the weekend with a team-high .452 batting average, five doubles, a home run and eight RBIs.

The Vikings (1-5) exploded for 15 runs on 16 hits in the opener, getting three hits and six RBIs from Drew Quame. His grand slam in the fourth inning sparked a six-run frame as Bethany Lutheran built an 11-0 lead.

Daultan Gibson took the loss, allowing 11 runs - all earned - in 3 2/3 innings of work.

Up next: Simpson is off until it travels to Coe to open Iowa Conference play March 25-26 in Cedar Rapids.