Potratz becomes Simpson RBI leader as Storm sweep Grinnell

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Two solo home runs by Tieryn Potratz made her the program's career RBI leader and helped the Simpson softball team make quick work of Grinnell in Tuesday evening's doubleheader sweep.

Simpson needed only five innings in each game before run-ruling the visitors, winning 12-0 in game one and 8-0 in game two.

Carissa Coopman, Hailey Jensen and Potratz all had four hits for the Storm (19-7), who brought their offensive showcase to the home crowd for the first time this season.

Coopman had four RBIs and two doubles and Sorensen drove in two runs.

Facing the possibility of playing a sixth inning in game two, Potratz came to the plate with nobody on and two outs and Simpson leading 7-0in the bottom of the fifth. Sitting on 94 career RBIs after a solo homer in the second inning of game one, the junior got a hold of a Jennifer Fulton delivery. Lifting a towering shot over the fence in left center, Potratz put herself atop the record books with her 95th RBI when she dented home plate following the triumphant trot.

Kacee Arey (16-7) added a pair of wins to the ledger, holding Grinnell to two hits in her eight innings of work while striking out seven. Ali Sokol finished off game one while Jessica Toyne put the finishing touches on the nightcap.

Jayme Wiebold and Jennifer Fulton were the only players to collect a hit for the Pioneers (1-13), who didn't advance a runner past second base until the fifth inning of game two.

Every starter in Simpson's lineup got a hit in the opener led by Keri Sorensen's 3-for-4 effort. Sorensen, Coopman, Toyne, Veronica Roshek and Hillary Harmon all doubled in game one, giving the team six extra-base hits.

The Storm continue their six-game homestand Wednesday when they welcome Iowa Conference foe Wartburg to Simpson Softball Complex for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

Game Notes: Potratz passed Holly Stevens (1993-96) for first on Simpson's career RBI list ... a junior, Potratz now holds career records for home runs (29), total bases (257), runs scored (107) and RBIs (95) ... Roshek is Simpson's career leader in walks (65) and is closing in on the hits record with 166, six shy of tying Michelle Fowler's (1996-99) record of 172.