Storm open Florida trip with victory

AUBURNDALE, Fla. -- A quick start on offense, followed by five-strong innings from Brady Leonard lifted the Simpson baseball team to an 8-5 win over Wells to start the Storm's spring trip in Florida on Thursday.

Brady Held delivered a two-run triple in the top of the first to put Simpson (3-4) on the board early. Noah Sacco started the game with a single up the middle and Truman Schmitt followed with a walk to later score on Held's hit into the left center field gap.

The Express (3-5) responded with a run in the bottom of the frame to cut the deficit in half. After both teams combined to score three runs in the first, neither team had a player cross the plate until the sixth inning. During that scoreless span, Leonard had three strikeouts and picked off two runners at first base.

In the top of the sixth, the Storm tallied two runs to widen the cushion. Ryan Willis was able to lift a sacrifice fly to center to score Luke Willis, before Zach Hollingsworth later scored on an error.

Jonathan Sailstad came into pitch in relief in the bottom of the inning and kept the Express off the board. Simpson returned to the dugout to place three runs on the board in the seventh. Kolton Arnold connected on his third double of the season to score Held, before he scored on a single by Luke Willis. Hollingsworth drove in Brandon Urias on a fielder's choice.

Wells answered with three runs of its own in the seventh to make it a 7-4 contest. The Express used two hits to chip away at the Storm's lead.

Sacco started the eighth with a home run for his second round tripper of the season. Sacco used his speed to score after ripping a ball to deep center. Wells rallied a little in the ninth, but could only manage to score a run.

Leonard ended with four strikeouts, while Sailstad and Held each had three in relief. At the plate, Held produced three hits to pace the offense, while Luke Willis and Sacco each had two.

Up Next
The Storm return to action tomorrow against Illinois Wesleyan at 3 p.m. (CT).