Big inning helps Storm earn split at Coe

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Austin Burlin doubled twice in an eight-run sixth inning and the Simpson baseball team cruised to a 9-1 win over Coe in game two, earning a doubleheader split Tuesday. Coe won game one 5-4 in nine innings.

Burlin went 3-for-4 with four RBIs in game two and the Storm (12-24, 9-15 Iowa Conference) moved one step closer to qualifying for the conference tournament.

Simpson broke open a 1-1 tie in the sixth thanks to two RBI doubles by Burlin and a two-RBI double by Jonathan Greiner. The Storm collected seven of their 10 hits in the inning, opening a 9-1 lead.

Trevor Dudar tossed a gem, going the distance and scattering seven. Dudar (2-4) didn't allow a walk as Simpson opened up a three-game lead on Loras for the sixth and final spot in the Iowa Conference Tournament with four games to play.

Kevin DeLaney hit a walk-off single in the ninth inning in game one, spoiling Simpson's three-run, game-tying seventh.

Luke Anctil doubled to start the seventh and scored on a double play. After a Trent Dooley RBI single, Burlin drove in the game-tying run on a single, then Tyler Englehardt got out of a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout to force extra innings.

The Kohawks (15-17, 11-13) answered Simpson's go-ahead run in the eighth and DeLaney singled off Trey Kehoe (0-1) to seal a spot in the conference tournament.

Gage Reis went five innings in the start, allowing three runs – all earned – off eight hits. Dooley, Anctil and Petry all went 2-for-4.

Up next: Simpson hosts Buena Vista for a four-game weekend series to close the regular season. The Storm need two wins or a win and a Loras loss to clinch a berth in the IIAC Tournament.