Storm extend winning streak to 10 with home sweep

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson College softball team opened up its home schedule with a sweep of Cornell College, extending the team's win streak to 10.

The Storm (15-5) got two shutout complete games from Madeline Petersen and Taryan Barrick-Wessels, making it four straight games the Storm have allowed zero runs. Barrick-Wessels took a no-hitter into the fifth in game two, but a diving attempt by the Storm defense allowed the only hit to drop. Caelynn Obleton collected four RBIs in game two, a new single-game high in her career.

"Our pitching and defense are doing a great job," said Storm head coach Brent Matthias. "The pitchers are attacking the zone and are doing well at changing speeds and mixing eye level. Our defense really stepped up with double plays and a couple outs at home. On offense, we are bunting well, taking walks, hitting line drives, and doing whatever it takes to win."

GAME ONE: Simpson 7, Cornell College 0

• Both offenses struggled early, with the Rams (2-4) getting some runners on base from walks, but never capitalizing in the hit department.
• The Storm finally broke the deadlock in the bottom of the fifth after an RBI double from Ashlyn Steen scored Obleton, who drew a leadoff walk.
• Simpson continued to press on in the inning, with Megan Heidelbauer lacing an RBI double to center field and Maddie Luderman bringing another run home via a sacrifice fly.
• Jenna Norris capped off the inning with a two-out RBI single to give Simpson a 4-0 lead.
• Alexis Ehlers drove in two runs in the sixth for her 24th and 25th RBIs of the year, before Luderman singled to cap off the 7-0 win.

GAME ONE LEADERS

• Madeline Petersen: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 5 BB, 3 SO
• Jenna Norris: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI
• Alexis Ehlers: 1-for-1, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 2 SB, 2 runs
• Maddie Luderman: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
• Ashlyn Steen: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, run, SB

GAME TWO: Simpson 9, Cornell College 0 (5 Innings)

• The Storm got going earlier in game two, scoring four runs in the second inning. Obleton drove in Mackenzie James and Katie Shaner with an RBI single and due to an error from the Rams, led to Kate Kriegel scoring.
• Simpson added another run after a Heidelbauer single to take a 4-0 lead after the second inning.
• Now up 5-0 in the fourth inning, James, Norris, and Obleton all drove in runs to give Simpson a 9-0 lead going into the fifth.
• Barrick-Wessels had a no-hitter after four innings, but despite a Rams hit, she closed out the game for her second straight shutout.

GAME TWO LEADERS

• Taryan Barrick-Wessels: 5.0 IP, H, 4 SO
• Caelynn Obleton: 2-for-2, 4 RBI, BB
• Megan Heidelbauer: 2-for-3, RBI, run
• Ashlyn Steen: 2-for-3, 2 SB, run
• Jenna Norris: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
• Mackenzie James: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 runs

NOTABLE

• The Storm now lead the all-time series, 32-3.
• Simpson has now won ten in a row, the longest win streak in the Brent Matthias era.
• Barrick-Wessels has allowed just one hit over her last ten innings.
• Petersen and Barrick-Wessels have both thrown back-to-back complete game shutouts.

RECORD WATCH

• Maddie Luderman now has 105 career RBIs, six away from tying the all-time record.
• She also remains two home runs away from tying the all-time record of 31.

UP NEXT
The Storm travel to Grinnell next Saturday for a road doubleheader.