Errors prove costly as Dubuque sweeps Storm

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Dubuque swept a doubleheader against the Simpson softball team on Sunday, winning game one 1-0 and taking the nightcap 6-3.

The Spartans (10-10, 4-0 Iowa Conference) took advantage of six errors by the No. 12 Storm (21-7, 0-4) in the sweep, as Dubuque is off to the first 4-0 start in league play in the program's history.

Simpson hosts Coe in a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 9. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

Game 1: Dubuque 1, Simpson 0
A pair of third-inning errors proved to be the difference as Dubuque beat Simpson 1-0 in game one.

Meggie Schmidt reached on an error to start the inning and scored when Amber Meyer also reached on an error for the game's only run.

Britney Steele went 2-for-2 at the plate and Kacee Arey (16-5) allowed five hits and struck out two in the complete-game loss for the Storm.

Emily Michels went the distance for the Spartans, surrendering five hits and striking out three.

Game 2: Dubuque 6, Simpson 3
Meyer hit a two-RBI double as part of a crucial, three-run fourth inning that propelled Dubuque to a 6-3 win over Simpson in game two.

Dubuque tied the game 2-2 earlier in the inning before Meyer's double scored what would be the winning run.

Shawna Dole went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Dionna Jensen (2-3) picked up the win in relief of Emily Michels for the Spartans, who swept Simpson for the first time in school history.

Leslie Downing and Stacie Brown had two hits apiece for the Storm, who were hurt by errors for the second game in a row. Simpson committed four in the game, resulting in five unearned runs. Arey (16-6) took the loss, giving up four runs – none earned – in 4 1/3 innings in the circle.

Simpson took a 2-0 lead in the third when Hailey Jensen doubled home Ashley Prettyman and Kylie Van Houten brought home Steele on a sacrifice fly.

Steele made it 4-3 with an RBI single in the fifth before Dubuque tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the sixth.