Simpson takes two from Grinnell

GRINNELL, Iowa - Tieryn Potratz (Fort Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge) drove in four runs and legged out three triples as Simpson swept a doubleheader with Grinnell at Grinnell Softball Complex Tuesday afternoon. Simpson won game one 8-2 and took the nightcap, 7-3.

The reining Iowa Conference Female Athlete of the Week, Potratz drove in four runs on the day, getting three thanks to two triples in the opener. She added a double and another three-bagger in game two, as the Storm (24-7) smacked six triples on the day.

Kelsey Castenson (Harcourt, Iowa/Southeast Webster) came away with her triple in the second inning of game two, when she came around to score the go-ahead run in what was a 1-1 game. Castenson joined Potratz with four hits on the day while scoring a team-high four runs.

In the opening game, Simpson held a 1-0 lead until pulling away with a four-run fourth inning. Castenson started the scoring with an RBI single, Jessica Barkley (Mitchellville, Iowa/Southeast Polk) drove in a run on a groundout, Amanda Enochs (Des Moines, Iowa/East) came away with a two-out, RBI single and came around to score on Potratz's first tirple of the day.

Barkley ended the day with three RBIs, getting a run-scoring single and a driving in a run on a groundout in game two.

Whitney Oviatt (Carnation, Wash./Cedarcrest) earned the game one win, tossing three scoreless innings before Bryn Johnson (Laurens, Iowa/Laurens) picked up the four-inning save.

Johnson also made a relief appearance in game two, tossing a perfect seventh inning in relief of Jessica Toyne (Bellevue, Neb./East). Toyne struck out five and gave up three runs in six innings.

Simpson returns to conference play Wednesday, April 21 when it travels to Dubuque for a doubleheader with Loras beginning at 3 p.m.