Storm complete game two comeback to earn sweep

CLERMONT, Fla. - The Simpson College softball team earned its second sweep on its trip to Florida, run-ruling MSOE and using a dramatic seventh inning to cap off a win against the University of Chicago.

Mackenzie James recorded five RBIs in the game against MSOE, including the first home run of her collegiate career. Jenna Norris and Kate Kriegel also added two RBIs each, both coming in the bottom of the fifth to help Simpson earn a run-rule victory. Norris also drove in another two RBIs against Chicago, with the Storm scoring three runs down to their final out. Sierra Franklin threw 2.2 innings of scoreless ball to claim the pitching win.

"We played two exciting games today, including run-ruling a team that won 32 games last year," said Storm head coach Brent Matthias. "Game two we were down to our final out with a freshman at the plate and came from behind to beat a very tough team. Our pitching was great today and we added several key hits."

GAME ONE: Simpson 14, MSOE 5 (5 Innings)

• The Storm (7-5) jumped out early, capped off by James hitting a three-run home run, the first of her career.
• With Simpson up 5-0, the Raiders (2-3) responded with a couple of runs via a home run in the top of the second.
• James continued her impressive freshman season with a double to left field, scoring two more runs to put Simpson up 7-2.
• Katie Shaner gave the Storm an 8-2 lead with a single down the left field line.
• The Raiders responded again, with another home run in the top of the fourth to make it 8-5.
• After a scoreless bottom of the fourth, Simpson exploded yet again in the next frame. Megan Heidelbauer and Alexis Ehlers collected an RBI on extra-base hits to give Simpson a 10-5 lead, before Norris knocked in two more.
• Kate Kriegel then sealed the game for Simpson with a two-RBI triple, giving the Storm a win via the run rule for the second straight day.

GAME ONE LEADERS

• Mackenzie James: 3-for-4, HR, 5 RBI
• Megan Heidelbauer: 3-for-3, 3B, RBI, SB, 2 runs
• Katie Shaner: 3-for-4, RBI
• Alexis Ehlers: 1-for-2, RBI, 2B, 2 BB, 3 runs
• Maddie Luderman: 2-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 runs
• Jenna Norris: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
• Kylee Tucker: 1.2 IP, 2 H, SV
• Madeline Petersen: 3.1 IP, 7 H, 4 SO, win

GAME TWO: Simpson 4, Chicago 2

• After a couple uneventful frames, the Storm threatened with the bases loaded and no one out. The Maroons (7-4) almost got out of it, but Norris's two-out single gave the Storm a 1-0 lead.
• Simpson then pulled their own escape act, getting out of two runners on base and 0 outs, which included a great catch in foul territory by Caelynn Obleton.
• The Maroons tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth after an extremely close play at the plate.
• A single later in the inning gave Chicago its first lead of the game at 2-1.
• Simpson was down to its last out in the top of the seventh, but miscommunication on a pop up allowed a ball to be dropped, tying the game, 2-2.
• The Maroons pitcher then threw a wild pitch and gave Simpson the lead, 3-2.
• Simpson added to its seventh-inning comeback with another timely base hit from Norris.
• Sierra Franklin then worked around two base runners to earn the win and give the Storm the sweep on the day.

GAME TWO LEADERS

• Megan Heidelbauer: 2-for-4, run
• Alexis Ehlers: 2-for-4, run
• Jenna Norris: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
• Maddie Luderman: 1-for-2, 2 BB, run
• Taryan Barrick-Wessels: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 SO
• Sierra Franklin: 2.2 IP, 2H, win

NOTABLE

• The Storm have won the first game of the day via the run rule for the second straight day.
• It was the first meeting between Simpson and MSOE and just the second meeting between Simpson and Chicago.
• James and Norris combined for nine RBIs on the day.
• James now ranks third on the team in RBIs on the season with eight, behind Luderman and Heidelbauer (nine) and leader Ashlyn Steen (11).

UP NEXT
The Storm resume action tomorrow afternoon against Montclair State and Ithaca.