Storm split doubleheader with walk-off victory

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- TJ Stephenson drove in the winning run for a walk-off single in game one to help the Simpson College baseball team split its opening doubleheader with Wartburg on Sunday. The Storm won 5-4 in the opener and lost 7-6 in the nightcap as both games went into extras.

Across the 16 innings of action today, the Storm (6-10, 3-7 A-R-C) combined for 21 hits. Ryan Willis had four base hits, while Luke Willis had three in game one.

Game One: Simpson 5, Wartburg 4 (8 innings)
It took Simpson all eight innings to overtake Wartburg (8-12, 6-8 A-R-C) after the visitors tallied three runs in the second. The Knights tallied two hits and were aided by two errors to help garner the early advantage.

The Storm executed a two-out rally in the third to chip away at the deficit. Josh Breitbarth delivered a single up the middle to score Kolton Arnold. The scoring continued into the third after Mathew Marquez laid down a squeeze bunt that allowed Chris Miller to score. Miller led off the frame with a double and was moved to third on a sacrifice by Ryan Willis.

After Wartburg increased its lead to 4-2 in the fifth, Luke Willis clubbed a two-run single in the sixth to knot the game at 4-4.

Simpson had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh after loading the bases with one out. Wartburg's pitching staff was able to induce a ground ball for the inning-ending double play and push the game into the eighth.

Déjà vu struck in the eighth for the Storm as the bases were juiced with one out once again. After fly out inched the Knights closer to ending the frame unharmed, Stephenson sent a pitch up the middle for the game-ending hit.

Arnold and Stephenson both had two hits in the victory. Breithbarth was a force behind the plate as he threw out three would-be base stealers to prevent them from getting into scoring position.

Game Two: Wartburg 7, Simpson 6 (8 innings)
Simpson plated two runs in the third and Wartburg responded with a run in the fourth. Luke Willis connected on a double in the fifth to extend the tilt to 3-1.

The Knights erupted for four runs in the sixth on three hits to grab a 5-3 lead. The Storm tallied a run in the sixth and seventh innings to tie the game and move it to extras for the second time this afternoon.

The visitors collected two in the eighth to go out in front once again and Simpson responded with a run in its half of the inning. Wartburg was able to clinch the victory with a Storm runner in scoring position.

Brett Kaularich tallied seven strikeouts in his start through five innings of work.

Up Next
Both teams return to McBride Field on Monday to end the season series with a doubleheader. Game one will begin at 1 p.m.