DUBUQUE, Iowa – One out. That's all the Duhawks needed to end a rut they've been in that's spanned the last couple weeks. But sometimes, you have to tip your cap to the opponent and Loras had to after being stunned in a 14-7 loss Friday night.

Simpson College (10-14, 4-6 A-R-C) struck first in the third, after they had their first baserunner reach on a free pass, and advance to third after an errant throw by the pitcher Dan Giusto. This allowed the Storm to plate that run on a groundout to shortstop Alex Sandoval.

The Purple and Gold struck right back, as the bottom of the fourth saw Cody Sunny score. Sunny attempted to advance to third on a passed ball that bounced roughly four feet away from the catcher, and the throw to third sailed into left field, giving the junior time to tie the game back up.

 At the bottom of the fifth, Jackson Cullen hit a ground ball single into left, scoring Trevor Segraves, and suddenly the lead belonged with Loras (15-13,5-8). This was short-lived though, as Simpson answered with a two-run top half of the sixth, creating a 3-2 score as the final three frames approached.

The bottom of the seventh was where the Duhawks came up big. Three runs came across, as the Purple and Gold took advantage of multiple Simpson errors and eventually added some insurance thanks to an RBI triple from sophomore Jake Zeal.

5-3 sat the score, and Loras turned to the bullpen after a solid outing from the sophomore Giusto, who went seven innings allowing only the three earned runs.
The ninth inning came around, with the Duhawks poised to win the contest and grab their second win at home this season. But alas, the clutch gene reared its head for the Storm, as a two-out double down the left field plated the tying run, and Loras would be shut out in the bottom frame.

Then, disaster struck in extra innings, as the Storm rallied nine runs in the top half of the tenth, snuffing out all hopes for a game one victory for the Purple and Gold who would eventually lose, although two runs scored in the tenth thanks to a Vince Polizzi homer and a James Solis single.

Rough Patch
The Duhawks are in search of answers, as they have now dropped five of their past six contests, and most have been by at least seven or more. Although rough stretches are normal in baseball, and Loras has proven they are a team that can bounce back.

On Deck: A chance at redemption looms large in the series culminating doubleheader Saturday, April 12 beginning at 12:00 p.m.