Storm split with Loras, end home schedule with win

INDIANOLA, Iowa — Madi Bennett drove in the eventual game-winning run in the third inning, Madison Rasmusson pitched a gem in the circle and the Simpson softball team beat Loras 3-1 in game two of Tuesday night's doubleheader, earning a split after a 6-1 loss in the opener.

The win helped the Storm (6-26, 1-11 Iowa Conference) capture an elusive first conference win and while snapping a 17-game losing streak. Bennett led the team with three hits on the final home doubleheader of the season. 

Game 1
Ashley Allen crushed a solo homer with one out in the fifth inning but Simpson stranded 10 baserunners against Loras starter Emily Reilly. Allen and Bennett had two hits apiece for the Storm.

Cate Paulson went 3-for-3 with a solo homer and two RBIs to lead the Duhawks (21-9, 5-5). Reilly (9-5) went the distance, allowing five hits and walking two. Maggie Long (1-14) gave up five earned runs off 10 hits in the complete-game loss.

Game 2
Rasmusson (4-10) scattered seven hits without a walk in the complete-game win, getting some key plays from her defense. Kaleigh Snyder threw out Savannah Fowler trying to stretch a single into a double to end the fifth and Megan Larson lined into a double play to Bennett at second base to eliminate a threat in the sixth. 

Bennett and Brooke Brommel hit back-to-back doubles to put Simspon on the board in the first and Bennett made it 2-1 with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the third. Simpson added another run in the inning when Rasumusson scored on a throwing error by shortstop Bria Lenten.

Brommel finished 2-for-3 to lead the Storm.

Up next
Simpson goes to Dubuque for an IIAC doubleheader Saturday, April 22.