Luther moved to within one win from advancing to the American Rivers Conference Tournament championship series after defeating Simpson College 9-6 in today's opening game of Pod 2. The Norse continued to swing hot bats producing 13 hits that led to a run in the fourth, five in the fifth and three in the seventh.

Cullen Stamp hit a three-run home run in the fifth and finished 2-for-5 from the lead-off slot in the lineup. Kyle Schnobrich and Joe McKibben were both credited with two rbi and Owen Vander Linden drove in one. Kelby Johnson led the team with four hits. He was 4-for-5 and scored three times. Three of his four hits were doubles.

Carter Bratland was credited with the win in relief. Bratland took over for Tyler Boesel in the middle of the fourth. Bratland pitched four complete, allowed three runs on four hits, walked four and struck out seven. Collin Chalmers picked up his fifth save of the year keeping the Storm scoreless for the final two frames.

Luther will now face No. 3 Loras College tonight. If the Norse win, they will advance to face the winner of Pod 1, top-seed and regular season champions Coe College. Loras will need to defeat Luther twice to advance to this same game.