INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Loras College baseball team struck first, but couldn't hang on to a three-run advantage as the Duhawks (17-8 overall, 6-3 American Rivers) fell in Game 1 of the weekend series, 8-3, to Simpson College on Friday evening.
 
Trevor Seagraves and Nick DiBenedetto were the only two Duhawks to register a hit, with each going 1-for-4 at the plate. DiBenedetto led the way with two RBIs while Daniel Rogers had one.  Max McCallum, Alex Sandoval, and Seagraves each scored a run.
 
TJ Boyd (3-2) started the game on the hill and went five innings with four strikeouts. Danny Heimer three the final three innings, landing two punchouts along the way.
 
Each team was kept scoreless through the first two innings before Rogers got the Purple and Gold on the board at the top of the third inning with an RBI groundout. DiBenedetto recorded a two-out, two-RBI double down the right field line to score Loras' final two runs.
 
The Storm (12-16, 5-8) responded with four runs in the fourth inning to take the lead before adding another in the sixth. Simpson added three insurance runs in the eighth inning before closing out the game.
 
UP NEXT
The two programs face off in doubleheader action tomorrow beginning at 12 p.m. Following its series with Simpson, the Duhawks will turnaround and face the University of Dubuque on Monday, April 15. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. from Dan W. Runkle Baseball Field.