Massive comeback falls short, Storm drop series opener to Norse

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson College baseball team brought the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but was unable to complete a massive comeback, dropping its series opener to Luther 8-7.

After managing just two hits through the first eight innings, the Storm offense came alive in the ninth as Simpson nearly overcame a seven-run deficit with the help of five hits, a hit batsman and a bases-loaded walk. Will Carlock and Tyson McAlexander both hit doubles as part of the comeback effort, with Carlock's driving in three runs to propel Simpson (7-12, 0-4 A-R-C) back into the game.

FULL GAME BREAKDOWN

• Joshua Matanich hit a two-out home run to score himself and Gavin Scurr in the top of the first inning.
• The Norse (12-6, 1-2 A-R-C) pushed their lead to three after an RBI groundout by Noah Dutler the next frame.
• Sam Porter led off the bottom of the second inning with a solo shot over the right field fence to trim the deficit to 3-1.
• Simpson was held without a hit for the next six innings, while Luther added one run in the fifth and sixth as well as three in the seventh for an 8-1 advantage.
• The Storm loaded the bases with no outs to start the ninth, using singles from Joel Sampson and Dalton Ferrin as well as a hit-by-pitch. Porter tallied his second RBI of the game by earning a walk, and the Storm found themselves back in the game after a bases-clearing double by Will Carlock made the score 8-5.
• Simpson continued to rally with one out down as Tyson McAlexander brought Carlock home from second with a double down the right field line and Drew Carlson followed suit with a base hit to left to pull within one, 8-7.
• With one runner on, the American Rivers Conference's current saves leader, Blake Jondle, managed to pick up out number two via a strikeout. Jondle and the Norse defense put an end to the Storm rally with a successful pickoff attempt. 

STORM LEADERS

• Sam Porter: 1 hit (1 home run), 2 RBI, 2 runs, 1 walk
• Will Carlock: 1 hit (1 double), 3 RBI, 1 run
• Drew Carlson: 1 hit, 1 RBI
• Tyson McAlexander: 1 hit (1 double), 1 RBI, 1 run
• Joel Sampson: 2 hits, 1 run

UP NEXT
Simpson and Luther will play a doubleheader tomorrow at 1 p.m.