Simpson softball team opens season 2-1

MARQUETTE, Mich.  – The Simpson softball team opened the 2011 season with wins over Edgewood and UW-Stevens Point at the Finlandia University Dome Tournament on Saturday.

The Storm (2-1) beat Edgewood 10-1 in five innings in the first game of the day and beat Stevens Point 17-3 in five innings in the third game. Simpson lost to Hope 14-6 in game two.

Simpson 10, Edgewood 1

Tieryn Potratz and Hillary Harmon each homered and drove in two runs for the Storm. Kiersten Ruff had two hits and two RBIs and Kacee Arey picked up with win in the circle. Arey went four innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out seven.

A five-run fourth inning by the Storm opened up a 2-1 game. Ruff drove in Kylie Van Houten while Potratz and Harmon each hit three-run bombs.

Hope 14, Simpson 6

Keri Sorensen drove in three runs and Simpson jumped out to a 6-3 lead, but surrendered 11 runs in the fourth and fifth innings combined.

Veronica Roshek and Allie Hock each had two hits as the Storm scored four in the first and two in the second.

But Simpson couldn't get on the board in the final three innings while surrendering a seven-run fourth and a four-run fifth. Bryn Johnson took the loss in the circle, allowing eight runs – seven earned – in 3 1/3 innings.

Simpson 17, UW-Stevens Point 3

Harmon and Ruff had four RBIs each, Simpson amassed 19 hits and exploded for 12 runs in the third.

All but one Simpson starter had a hit in the game. Harmon, Roshek and Hock each had three hits and Van Houten went 4-for-4.

Harmon provided a bulk of the work in the third inning with a grand slam, one of four extra-base hits in an inning which produced 11 hits.

Jessica Toyne picked up the win, allowing three runs off seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Simpson continues play tomorrow, taking on UW-Oshkosh, UW-Superior and Concordia (Wis.).