Chaplin, Storm out-slug Dubuque for sixth straight win

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Simpson softball team got two home runs from Brianna Chaplin in game one and survived some tense moments in game two, sweeping Dubuque 8-3 and 7-5 on Tuesday afternoon.

Riley Fisher homered and went six innings in the circle to help win in the opener for the Storm (28-8, 7-5 Iowa Conference), who climbed into sole possession of third-place in the conference standings and clinched a spot in the league tournament.

Simpson has now won six in a row after losing five of six to start conference play.

Chaplin, a freshman, hit the go-ahead, two-run homer in the fourth and helped Simpson build an 8-2 lead with another two-run shot in the seventh inning of game one. Fisher broke a 2-2 tie with a solo bomb to lead off the sixth.

Fisher (13-3) was effective in the circle as well, allowing nine hits and walking five but allowing just three runs – all earned – with 10 strikeouts.

Simpson scored six runs in the second inning to take control early in game two. Hailey Jensen drove in three with a bases-clearing single in the frame and Simpson held a 7-1 lead going into the final at-bat.

The Spartans (14-22, 5-7) came alive in the seventh, getting four base-hits and two runs before chasing starter Kaytlyn Ernst. The substitution didn't last long, though, as Ernst re-entered after Abbie VanVleet faced two batters.

After giving up another single, Ernst (4-1) coaxed a fly-out to end the game, stranding three Spartans in the process.

Up Next

Simpson hosts Wartburg in the regular season finale Saturday, April 25 at 2 p.m. Simpson's five seniors will be recognized between games.