INDIANOLA, Iowa - The University of Dubuque baseball team continues down the homestretch of the regular season, beginning their final road series at Simpson on Friday afternoon. The Storm quieted the Spartans in game one, winning 1-0 in eight innings, but the Spartans would bounce back in game two to pitch a shutout of their own on the way to a 6-0 victory to earn a split.

Game One
The series kicked off with a pitchers duel, as no runner reached third base until bottom of the fourth. Simpson loaded the bases with two outs after a wild pitch on strike three kept the inning alive but no harm was done as the Spartans escaped the jam with a ground out. The Spartans were able to escape another bases loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth with a foul out and the score remained scoreless through seven, sending the game into extras, a familiar spot for the Spartans.

In UD's sixth extra inning game of the season, the Spartans could only play with fire for so long. A leadoff double by the Storm in the bottom of the eighth would come around to score for the win on an errant throw and the Spartans would drop the nail-biter 1-0.

The Spartans were able to come up with just two hits with Kyle Radi and Patrick Rafferty collecting both of those, and had no runners get past second base. UD starter Jordan Nelson scattered seven hits over six scoreless innings, striking out five for a no-decision. 

Game Two
The Spartans would surpass their hit total in game one in the first inning alone in game two. Jake Cekander and Cole DeStefanis would team up to lead off the game with a single and double, respectively, with Cekander coming around on the double to give UD the 1-0 lead through just two hitters. DeStefanis came around to score on a Patrick Rafferty single up the middle, Jordan Goldstein would try to score as well but was thrown out at the plate, giving UD a 2-0 after half an inning. 

In the top of the fourth Max Snowden would deliver a big blow, drilling a ball to the centerfield fence, racing around for a triple while JJ Valencia and Zach McCoy both scored to make it 4-0. Rafferty would come up big for the Spartans again in the fifth, coming up with another RBI single to center field. Zach McCoy followed up Rafferty by getting down a squeeze bunt attempt to give the Spartans their third, two run frame for a 6-0.

Aiden Sullivan started his first game of the season on the mound after his first eight appearances were out of the pen and he was masterful. Sullivan went six scoreless frames, scattering just three hits and fanning five Storm batters to pick up his first career win. Seth Crandall would come in to pitch a scoreless seventh to complete the 6-0 shutout. Everyone got in on the action for the UD offense with eight Spartans  recording a hit and all nine starters reaching base in some fashion.

Due to potential weather later on Saturday, Saturday's doubleheader has been moved up to a 10 a.m. first pitch.