Storm rally late but fall in non-conference finale
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Simpson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 3 |
|
Augustana (Ill.) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | X | 8 | 5 | 3 |
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Simpson College baseball team nearly came back to win its 2022 non-conference finale, but Augustana escaped with an 8-6 midweek win.
Trailing 8-3 with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the ninth, Matthew Marquez gave the Storm (18-18) some life with a double to right center that scored two. Pinch hitter Jake Havran followed with a single to shortstop to pull within two, 8-6. A walk filled the bases once more for Simpson, but the home team put an end to the comeback with a strikeout.
The three-run inning was the Storm's second of the game. In the top of the fourth, Simpson cut into the early 5-0 lead Augustana (27-9) built. Kaleb Bauer singled to right to plate the first run and the Storm scored their other two on a groundout and an error. After a pair of scoreless innings, the Vikings distanced themselves again with a trio of runs in the seventh.
Marquez registered the only extra-base hit of the game, finishing the night with two singles, a double and a walk. Ty Cowley recorded three hits from the leadoff spot and Bauer added two.
Up Next
Simpson embarks on its final American Rivers Conference road trip this weekend, facing Loras in a three-game series in Dubuque. The two teams were originally scheduled to play Friday-Saturday but will now face each other on Saturday-Sunday. The series will begin with a doubleheader on Saturday at 2 p.m. and end with a single game on Sunday at noon.
