Simpson defeat Beloit in game one, narrowly fall to nationally ranked Belhaven in game two

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Simpson College softball team handled Beloit in five innings, before falling to nationally ranked Belhaven in game two on the team's fourth game day in Florida.

The Storm (5-5) went down early to Beloit, but broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth, capped off by Ashlyn Steen's RBI triple to clear a bases-loaded situation. The Storm got out to a 3-0 lead against Belhaven, but long delays amid certain calls did not benefit the Simpson as Belhaven pulled off the narrow in.

GAME ONE: Simpson 9, Beloit 1 (5 innings)

• The Storm loaded the bases with one out to start the game, but the Buccaneers (1-6) got out of the jam.
• Simpson loaded the bases once again, with a walk and two hit batters, but Beloit once again was able to escape unscathed. The Storm had six base runners all reach with either a walk or a hit by pitch through the second inning.
• Beloit took advantage in the top of the third with an RBI double to take a 1-0 lead.
• Maddie Luderman quickly tied the game back up with a solo shot over the center field fence.
• Megan Heidelbauer continued her hot streak in Florida in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI double to score Caelynn Obleton, giving the Storm a 2-1 lead.
• Alexis Ehlers also doubled into left field, scoring Heidelbauer and giving the Storm a 3-1 advantage.
• Freshman Katie Shaner continued a great start to her Simpson career, with a two-out RBI single that scored Ehlers and pinch runner Abby Meyer.
• Obleton came up for the second time this inning and reached on an error, scoring Pellett and giving the Storm a 6-1 win to break the game open.
• The game was truly blasted open, as Steen hit a bases-clearing triple to score three runs, giving the Storm their second inning of eight runs down in Florida.
• Despite Beloit threatening with the bases loaded, the Storm turned a game-ending double play to win in five innings via the run rule.

"We did a good job in all three phases of the game," said Storm head coach Brent Matthias. "Our pitching attacked, our defense made the plays we needed, and our bats came alive after the second inning."

GAME ONE LEADERS

• Katie Shaner: 2-for-2, RBI, run
• Ashlyn Steen: 1-for-3, 3 RBI, 3B
• Maddie Luderman: 1-for-1, HR, RBI, 2 BB
• Megan Heidelbauer: 1-for-1, RBI, BB, 2 SB
• Madeline Petersen: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 SO
• Kylee Tucker: 2.0 IP, 2 H, win

GAME TWO: No. 12 Belhaven 4, Simpson 3

• The Storm opened up the scoring with a two-out single from Steen that scored Kate Kriegel and Obleton. Luderman added a sacrifice fly to put Simpson up 3-0.
• The bottom of the third included a controversial call, starting a near 20-minute delay that ended with the Simpson defense having to come back out on the field with the bases loaded.
• The Blazers (14-3) took advantage and ended up scoring four runs to re-take the lead.
• The Storm had another close call to end the game, with Luderman attempting to beat out a throw to first that scored Steen, but after a brief umpire consultation, was called out.

"It was a wild game that had all kinds of excitement," said Matthias. "Even though we took the loss, it proved to our team we can compete with top ranked teams."

GAME TWO LEADERS:

• Maddie Luderman: 1-for-3, RBI
• Ashlyn Steen: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
• Taryan Barrick-Wessels: 6 IP, 9 H, 3 SO

NOTABLE

• The Storm defeated Beloit, 9-1, despite recording the same amount of hits, six.
• Simpson is still undefeated against Beloit, winning all five meetings.
• The Storm faced off with Belhaven for the first time in program history.
• Steen led the Storm with 5 RBIs on her two hits.

UP NEXT
The Storm will take on MSOE tomorrow morning, at 8 a.m., followed by a game against the University of Chicago.