Greiner comes up big to help Storm split on final day in Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz — Jonathan Greiner drove in three runs and came on to record the final two outs as the Simpson baseball team closed the Tucson Invitational on a winning note, beating Marian (Wis.) 6-4 in game two of Friday's doubleheader. Marian edged Simpson 2-1 in the opener.

The Storm (3-7) began the trip 0-4 but played .500 ball the rest of the way, going 3-3. Simpson was just a few plays from being 6-4, as head coach Nathan Roling's crew dropped three, one-run games. 

Simpson is off until Wednesday, March 22 when it hosts Wis.-Platteville in the home opener at McBride Field. The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.

Marian 2, Simpson 1
Curt Castenson pitched five strong innings but Simpson couldn't get to Zacharaiah Sandoval until the seventh inning as the comeback bid fell short. The Sabres scored one run in the fourth and one in the fifth to take a 2-0 lead. Luke Anctil made it 2-1 with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh but Josh Osborne grounded out to end the game. Castenson allowed two runs -- one earned -- off three hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Greiner had two of Simpson's four hits, scoring the only run after doubling to lead off the seventh.

Simpson 6, Marian 4
Greiner hit a two-RBI double as part of a four-run second inning and Simpson built a comfortable 6-0 lead. Marian came back to make it interesting with a run in the fifth and three in the sixth, then loading the bases with one out in the seventh. Greiner moved from third base to the mound, getting a fielder's choice and a lineout to end the threat and earn his first save. Adam Richman got the win, giving up four runs -- all earned -- off five hits in 5-plus innings. Greiner, Trent Dooley, Hunter Hillygus and Jared Herzog all finished with two hits. Dooley, Hillygus and Nick Carlisle drove in runs.