Storm outslug Rams, take series

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – Ethan Hale drove in three runs and the Simpson baseball team's offense fired on all cylinders in an 11-6 win over Cornell on Saturday afternoon.

Simpson broke open a 3-2 game with five runs in the seventh inning, giving it a much-needed series win.

Hale finished 2-for-3 with a double and Michael Chia went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for the Storm (14-16, 8-7 Iowa Conference).

Chris Dorff pieced together an effective outing, going seven innings while allowing five runs – four earned – off eight hits to improve to 4-5. He cruised through the first six innings, spreading out five hits and surrendering only two runs.

He ran into trouble in the seventh, when three runs crossed. Milton Kurschner drove in the final two runs on a single, but got caught in a rundown to end the inning.

Jose Rodriguez got out to a rough start in his relief outing, surrendering a solo home run to the first batter he faced. He recovered nicely, though, allowing two hits the rest of the way for his second save of the year.

The Rams (8-19, 5-7) were led by Joe Gerace's 4-for-5 performance.

Leading 3-2 after the sixth, the Storm batted around in the seventh. Hale and Colton Calvert each had RBI doubles in the frame, while Chia, Tyler Pawletzki and Brett Crable all drove in runs.

Hale's two-RBI single in the eighth gave Simpson an 11-5 lead.

Simpson has the midweek off before hosting Buena Vista in a three-game series beginning Friday, April 20 at 6 p.m.

Notes: With his five strikeouts, Dorff moved into third in school history with 185 career strikeouts and is 12 away from setting the school record.