Storm bats quiet in loss at Loras

DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Robert Hovey and Aidan Wojciehowski combined to hold the Simpson baseball team to six hits, Cole Thompson hit a grand slam and Loras beat the Storm 7-1 in the deciding game of the Iowa Conference opening series Sunday at a cold Petrakis Park.

Hovey struck out five in five innings and Wojciehowski fanned seven while allowing just two hits over the final four frames as Loras took the series rubber match. Thompson's grand slam came in the fourth inning and gave the Duhawks (12-5, 2-1) a 6-0 advantage.

Truman Schmitt drove in the only run of the game on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning as the Storm (2-12, 1-2) went down in order four times. Jared Herzog led Simpson with two hits, denting the plate on Schmitt's sac fly.

Key Moments
B2 | Loras made good on back-to-back walks to lead off the inning as Luke Fennelly brought in a pair on a two-out single up the middle. LOR 2, SIM 0

T4 | Simpson failed to score despite back-to-back singles by Hunter Hillygus and Noah Sacco to begin the inning. After Schmitt moved the runners to second and third on a sac bunt, Trey Kehoe and Brandon Urias each grounded into a fielder's choice to end the threat. LOR 2, SIM 0

B4 | Thompson hit the first pitch he saw from Cameron Liston over the fence to break the game open with a grand slam. Thomas Greffy singled with one out while Fennelly and Austin Konagel walked to load the bases. LOR 6, SIM 0

T6 | Schmitt put Simpson on the board with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Herzog. Herzog singled to lead off the inning, moved to second on a wild pitch and took third on a fielder's choice. LOR 6, SIM 1

B7 | Ryan Koester hit the second home run of the game for the Duhawks, a solo shot to left to close the scoring. LOR 7, SIM 1

Top Offensive Performances
Jared Herzog | 2-4, R
Truman Schmitt | 1-2, RBI

Pitching Breakdown
Colin Sexton | L (0-2), 3.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 Ks
Cameron Liston | 3.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 Ks
Devon Veach | 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 Ks

Up Next
The Storm travel to Decorah, Iowa for a three-game Iowa Conference series with Luther on Friday and Saturday, March 30-31. The series gets underway with a single nine-inning contest Friday beginning at 3 p.m.