The Simpson College baseball team took on the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Bluegolds on Friday, Feb. 27. The Storm fell 6-5 in game one of the series, but bounced back and won games two and three by scores of 5-1 and 9-7.

In the first game, the Bluegolds led 1-0 in the first inning before the Storm quickly answered back. Junior Trenten Kingery got a solo home run to even the score.

The game stayed fairly even until sophomore Preston Glatt put the Storm ahead to a 5-4 lead. However, the Bluegolds answered back in the top of the ninth inning  and took the lead which resulted in a Storm loss with a final score of 6-5 for the first game.

The Storm bounced back in game two, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Seniors Sam Campin and Nate Cagley along with Kingery played a strong game to lead the Storm.

Kingery came back up to the plate in the seventh inning and capped off the scoring with a RBI single to push the lead to 5-1 and secure a split for day one of competition. 

Though it was junior pitcher Charlie Thomas who acquired the win in game two. 

Game three was a back and forth game, but resulted in a series win. 

Campin said the team’s performance involved what they had seen from the opposing pitcher; from there, the game fell into place. 

“The other team had been challenging us with a lot of fastballs, and I was up 2-0 in the count,” he said. “I was just trying to stay simple and put a clean swing on a fastball and it worked out in the end.” 

Simpson held a 5-2 lead until Wis.-Eau Claire surged in the seventh inning by taking a 7-6 lead. The Storm bounced back instantly, however, by scoring three runs of their own.

Simpson was then able to hold off the Bluegolds with Senior Jake Edenburn collecting his first career save and winning by a score of 9-7.

Edenburn said his first career moment was a special moment thanks to his coaches and teammates.

“It was an extremely special moment having my best friends in the dugout and on the field having my back,” he said. “It was awesome that I was able to have Jacob Roberts behind the plate because he was my catcher in high school. I also want to thank the coaches for believing in me to go out there in that moment and shut the door for the team.”

The Storm are now 2-1 in the young season and will stay at home next weekend to host Saint  John’s University in another three game non-conference series.