Walk-off victory provides doubleheader split for Simpson

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- A walk-off victory in game one led Simpson College baseball to a twinbill split against Dubuque on Friday. The Storm came away with a 1-0 triumph in a pitcher's duel, before the visitors won 6-0 in the nightcap.

Brady Held allowed just two hits in his second-straight complete-game victory for the Storm (12-20, 9-17 A-R-C) after receiving American Rivers Conference Pitcher of the Week honors on Monday.

Noah Sacco reached 100-career hits in game two with his second base knock of the afternoon.

Game One: Simpson 1, Dubuque 0 (8 innings)
After seven scoreless innings, the Storm tallied the lone run in the eighth after TJ Stephenson recorded his second walk-off at-bat this season.

Luke Willis led the frame off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With Stephenson at the dish, the shortstop laid down a sacrifice bunt. Dubuque's (13-20, 1-15 A-R-C) pitcher, Shaun Logan, tried to get Willis out a third, but overthrew his teammate to allow Willis to jog home for the win.

Simpson had an opportunity to score a run in the fourth with the bases loaded, but the Spartans worked around the jam to keep it scoreless.

Held gave up a hit in the fourth and fifth innings and had one runner move into scoring position during the game. Josh Breitbarth was a force behind the plate by throwing out two would-be base stealers to end back-to-back innings to help Held.

Kolton Arnold ended with three hits to tie a season high, and Held and Willis both had two.

Game Two: Dubuque 6, Simpson 0
Dubuque's offense came out of its shell right away by scoring twice in the first for an early lead.

Sacco delivered a lead-off hit in the bottom of the frame to reach the triple-digit milestone for hits in a career. 

Max Snowden belted a two-run triple to deep center to widen the gap to 4-0 in the fourth. The Spartans tallied two more in the fifth.

Up Next
Simpson and Dubuque close the season series with a doubleheader tomorrow at McBride Field. With the projected forecast calling for rain, the first game will begin at 10 a.m. and the second will follow.

Between the two games, the Storm will honor their eight seniors: Josh Breitbarth, Alec Hensley, Brent Pendgraft, Noah Sacco, Jonathan Sailstad, Quentin Sefrit, Jonathan Shelabarger and Brandon Urias.