Storm split first conference road games with Duhawks
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Simpson College softball team saw its win streak snapped in game one, but responded in dominating fashion to defeat Loras in game two and earn a split of the team's first conference road doubleheader.
The Storm (24-6, 6-1 A-R-C) exploded in the third inning of game two, putting up six runs. Alexis Ehlers hit her team-leading sixth home run of the year in the inning, while Taryan Barrick-Wessels was spectacular in the circle once again, earning her seventh straight pitching win.
GAME ONE: Loras 6, Simpson 1
- The Duhawks (15-11, 2-4 A-R-C) jumped in front by virtue of a three-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the first.
- Simpson got on the board in the top of the third, with Ehlers sending a double to right-center field that scored Caelynn Obleton.
- Loras answered immediately and tacked on another three runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 6-1 lead.
- The Duhawks were able to hold off the Storm offense, as starting pitcher Ashlyn Hemm allowed just four hits in the game.
GAME ONE LEADERS
- Caelynn Obleton: 2-for-3, 2B, SB, run
- Alexis Ehlers: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, SB
- Maddie Luderman: 3 BB
- Kylee Tucker: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
GAME TWO: Simpson 9, Loras 0 (5 innings)
- Game two was a complete opposite start for the Storm, jumping out to a 2-0 lead after a sacrifice fly from Ehlers and an error that allowed Maddie Luderman to score.
- The Storm poured it on in the third inning, started by Ehlers blasting her sixth home run of the year to give Simpson a 4-0 lead.
- Simpson then scored their next five runs with two outs, highlighted by two-run doubles from Kate Kriegel and Megan Heidelbauer.
- Barrick-Wessels threw four innings of shutout ball, while Sierra Franklin capped off the game with a scoreless fifth inning.
GAME TWO LEADERS
- Alexis Ehlers: 1-for-2, HR, 3 RBI, run
- Megan Heidelbauer: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2B, SB, run
- Ashlyn Steen: 2-for-4, 2 runs, RBI, SB
- Kate Kriegel: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, 2B
- Caelynn Obleton: 1-for-3, run
- Katie Shaner: 1-for-3, RBI, run
- Maddie Luderman: 1-for-1, 2 BB, run
- Taryan Barrick Wessels: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
NOTABLE
- The Storm are now 63-16 all-time against the Duhawks.
- Caelynn Obleton extended her hit streak to 15 games.
- Taryan Barrick-Wessels earned her ninth pitching win of the year, tying her career-best in a season.
- The senior ranks second in the conference in ERA with a brilliant 0.95.
- Maddie Luderman, who set the all-time record for walks in program history on Tuesday, walked five times across the two games.
RECORD WATCH
- Alexis Ehlers now has 38 RBIs on the season, seven away from tying the single-season record.
- Ehlers also has 16 doubles on the year, just two away from tying the single-season mark.
- Maddie Luderman remains one home run away from tying the all-time program lead of 31.
UP NEXT
The Storm remain on the road to face off with Wartburg on Saturday.