Simpson sweeps Carthage on opening day behind Held, DeKock

TOPEKA, Kan. – Brady Held tossed six scoreless innings in game one, Keaton DeKock hit the go-ahead three-run homer in game two and the Simpson College baseball team swept Carthage 8-1 and 17-8 on Saturday.

The Storm (2-0) return to action Sunday at Bettis Sports Complex when they play a doubleheader against Gustavus Adolphus. First pitch has been moved up to 11 a.m. due to projected weather. 

Game 1: Simpson 8, Carthage 1 (7 innings)
Held struck out eight and scattered six hits in six scoreless innings for his sixth-straight win dating back to 2021. Luke Willis paced the offense with two hits and three RBIs.

Simpson built a 4-0 lead after two innings and the Firebirds (2-3) never threatened. Of the Storm's first three runs, two came on bases-loaded walks and one came on a passed ball. Willis singled and drove in a run in the second to give Simpson a four-run lead.

Held and Ryan Willis each went 2-for-3 at the plate and Matthew Meyer recorded the final three outs for the Storm.

Game 2: Simpson 17, Carthage 8 (9 innings)
Simpson trailed 7-6 in the fifth when DeKock hit the go-ahead, three-run homer. The Storm scored seven runs in the inning to put the game out of reach while a trio of pitchers shut down Carthage the rest of the way.

Brett Kauzlaurich, Zach Hollingsworth and Ben Rupe held Carthage to just one run over the final five innings.

Kaleb Bauer went 4-for-5 to lead the Storm at the plate. Brennen Lemke and Ty Cowley had three hits apiece and Held went 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs.

Kauzlarich earned the win on the mound, allowing four runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Hollingsworth allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Rupe worked around two walks in a scoreless ninth.