Storm suffer pair of one-run losses to Bethany Lutheran

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Simpson baseball team led by three runs in the opener and built a six-run lead in the nightcap but couldn't tally a win against Bethany Lutheran, falling 5-4 and 12-11 Monday at the Tucson Invitational Games.

Bethany Lutheran 5, Simpson 4
Simpson led 3-0 after six but Grant Becher's two-RBI single in the top of the seventh capped a five-run inning and allowed the Vikings to hold on for the win.

Simpson scored three runs in the third, taking advantage of a Bethany Lutheran throwing error to extend the inning. Hunter Hillygus drove in a run on a single and Truman Schmitt crushed a solo homer to left.

Trey Kehoe had a great outing, allowing two runs -- one earned -- in six innings. He gave up four hits, struck out five and walked one. Colin Sexton was the hard-luck loser, allowing three unearned runs in the seventh.

Simpson failed to extend the lead in the fifth and sixth inning after putting a runner on third with one out in each frame.

Bethany Lutheran 12, Simpson 11
The Storm built an 11-5 lead in the sixth but a yielded a seven-run at-bat in the home half as Bethany Lutheran came back for the second straight game.

Truman Schmitt went 3-for-5 with two RBIs to lead the Storm, who out-hit the Vikings 11-9 and committed two fewer errors. Kehoe and Jared Herzog drove in two runs apiece.

Simpson built its lead with three in the fifth and three in the sixth. Herzog's RBI double sparked the fifth-inning rally and he drove in a run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Jonathan Sailstad went three innings in the start, giving up four runs -- three earned -- off four hits with two strikeouts. Simson sent five hurlers to the mound, matching Bethany Lutheran.

Kevin Harris led the Vikings with three hits and three RBIs.