Baseball splits with AIB

DES MOINES, Iowa - Michael Wilson turned in a solid effort on the mound in game two and the Simpson baseball team earned a doubleheader split with AIB on Monday, losing game one 6-5 before winning game two 6-2.

Austin Burlin went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in game two for the Storm (16-18), which won the season series against AIB, 2-1.

Wilson (2-1) went four solid innings, holding AIB scoreless after the first. He allowed just two hits in his final three innings and issued one walk.

The game was tied 1-1 before Simpson plated four runs in the fourth. Bud Smith, Taylor Harmon, Josh Pirtle and Brett Crable all drove in runs for the Storm.

Game two was tied 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh when Steven Leverett drove in the game-winning run on a single for the Eagles (18-17).

Down 5-3 after six, Simpson tied the game with two runs in the top of the seventh. Jake Esdohr drove in a run on a fielder's choice and Crable brought in Jake Barr on a sacrifice fly to even the score at 5-5.

Crable went 3-for-3 and Pirtle hit a leadoff homer as part of a 2-for-4 day at the plate. Brock Borgeson (0-3) was saddled with the loss in relief.

The Storm travel to Dubuque for a crucial four-game set this weekend as the regular season winds to a close. The Spartans (10-21, 6-14 Iowa Conference) lost four to Buena Vista over the weekend.

Only Buena Vista and Wartburg have clinched berths in the conference tournament, leaving the remaining six teams battling for four spots. The Storm (8-14) are currently fifth, behind Central (12-8) and Loras (12-8). Coe (7-15), Luther (6-14) and Dubuque (6-14) are all in the hunt.