Nate Cagley drove in two and Jaymison Howard tossed five scoreless in relief, but the Simpson College baseball team fell 3-2 in the series finale against Dubuque. All five runs in the contest came in the fourth inning, with Dubuque striking first before Simpson answered but played catch-up and couldn’t complete the comeback.

Dubuque opened the scoring with a three-run frame, using four hits and taking advantage of a hit-by-pitch and a stolen base to build a 3-0 lead. Logan Cadenhead delivered an RBI single before Zavion Ingram followed with a bunt single to bring in another run. Ashr Harris added a third RBI single to cap the inning.

Simpson responded in the bottom half of the inning. Drew Carlson worked a leadoff walk and Trenten Kingrey followed with a double to put two runners in scoring position. Cagley then drove both in with a double to left center to cut the deficit to 3-2. The Storm threatened to tie or take the lead later in the inning, but a runner was thrown out at the plate to end the rally.

Howard provided a strong effort in relief, tossing five scoreless innings with six strikeouts to keep Simpson within one. The Storm had chances to even the score, placing the tying run at third base in both the fifth and seventh innings, but were unable to bring it home.

Jeff Miller took the loss after allowing three runs in 3.1 innings. Howard and Sam Campin combined to hold Dubuque scoreless over the final 5.2 innings, but the early deficit held up as the difference. 

Simpson travels to Nebraska Wesleyan in a doubleheader today at 3:30 p.m.

*from simpsonathletics.com