Storm sweep Buena Vista, take series

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Tyler Craig homered in game one, Jake Barr homered in game two and the Simpson baseball team got strong pitching in a doubleheader sweep against Buena Vista on Saturday, winning game one 8-3 and game two 10-2.

Simpson recovered from Friday's 3-1, 10-inning loss, taking two of three in the crucial series. The Storm (16-17, 10-8 Iowa Conference) sit at fourth place in the conference standings, putting some distance between themselves and the fifth-place Beavers (15-14, 7-8).

Craig went 3-for-4 with two RBIs in the opener, finishing a triple shy of the cycle. His solo shot off reliever Brennan Holm in the sixth cleared the right field wall for his team-leading fourth long ball of the season.

Simpson chased Buena Vista starter Michael Dirkx (3-1) in the fifth after Colton Calvert singled with the bases loaded, scoring two to break a 3-3 tie. Brett Crable added a pinch-hit RBI and Blake Heitmeier drove in a run on a groundout as Simpson tallied four in the frame.

Jose Rodriguez (3-2) pitched effectively in relief of starter Kyle Ruehle. He threw the final five innings after Ruehle struggled to find the strike zone early.

Barr finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs in game two. His home run came with a runner on in the sixth, sparking a five-run rally.

Michael Chia had three hits, all of which went for extra bases. He tripled in the first and roped doubles in the second and sixth.

Leading 2-1 after the first, the Storm gave themselves cushion with three runs in the second. Barr drove in two of those runs on a single and came around to score when Tyler Crandell was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Calvert added two RBIs, getting singles in his last two at-bats. After starting the season hitting .087 and watching his playing time diminish, Calvert is hitting a team-high .429 with 10 RBIs in the last seven games.

Chris Dorff (5-5) shook off a shaky start, allowing only four hits in the final six innings. He gave up back-to-back singles in the first and threw a wild pitch, resulting in a run for Buena Vista.

The Storm will close the home portion of the schedule next weekend when they host Wartburg in a three-game set. The series begins Friday at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Simpson will recognize its five seniors between games.