Dudar fuels comeback in game two, Storm split with Coe

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Trevor Dudar drove in the game-winning run and earned the win on the mound as Simpson came back for a 7-5 win in the nightcap, giving the Simpson baseball team a split with Coe in the Iowa Conference opener.

Simpson lost game one 9-5 despite getting out to a 3-0 lead.

The Storm (4-8, 1-1 Iowa Conference) trailed 5-4 going into the ninth inning in game two before plating three, two off the bat of Dudar. The sophomore drove in two on a bases-loaded single after base hits by Luke Anctil and Austin Burlin and a walk by Bud Smith. Jacob Petry added a run on a sacrifice fly for the final margin.

Smith went 3-for-4 with two doubles and Burlin hit his second homer of the season. Dudar (1-1) pitched the final three innings, allowing one run and fanning four. Gage Reis allowed four runs off 10 hits in the start.

Taylor Harmon hit a three-RBI double in the second inning as Simpson jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opener before Coe came back with four in the home half.

The Kohawks (5-5, 1-1) added two in the third and two in the fourth to take an 8-5 lead. Andrew Brierton had two hits, a triple and three RBIs and Ben Jacobson gave up three hits in five innings to earn the win.

Dudar had two hits and Smith homered for the Storm. Brock Borgeson (2-1) took the loss, allowing eight runs - seven earned - in 3 2/3 innings.

Simpson and Coe will conclude their series Sunday, May 1. The four-game series was originally scheduled to take place Friday and Saturday but was postponed due to unseasonably cold weather.

Up next: at Grinnell, Thursday, March 31.