Two close games were split between American Rivers Conference rivals Simpson and Central Tuesday on the baseball field, in a doubleheader heard live on KNIAKRLS.com, as game one went to the Storm 8-2, with game two going to the Dutch 8-5. In game one, the Dutch earned an early 1-0 lead after Garrett Saunders scored on a balk, but it was all Storm after that. Simpson scored runs in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd innings to build an 8-1 lead, and Brady Held struck out 11 on the mound in a dominant performance, and Brett Kauzlarich did well in relief. Held took the victory, while Adam Carey ended with the tough luck loss.

Game two was a back and forth affair, as Simpson took an early 3-1 lead but Central exploded in the fifth for four runs to take a 5-3 lead they would not relinquish. Key hits from Coy Mooore, Ryan Bouwman, and Tanner wood continued Central’s run, as they answered every Storm rally down the stretch. Simpson made it interesting, getting the bases loaded in both the 8th and 9th innings, but Ryan Riddle struck out 5 of the last 6 batters to earn the save. Central improves to 19-13 overall and 9-12 in conference play to stay in the postseason tournament discussion, while Simpson falls to 12-18 and 4-14.