Softball sweeps Buena Vista in conference opener

INDIANOLA, Iowa — Sara Trent delivered a big hit in game one, Taylor Stamm broke the score open in game two and the Simpson College softball team swept Buena Vista in the American Rivers Conference opener Saturday at Simpson Softball Complex. Simpson won game one 7-3 and took the nightcap 7-1.

Trent had five hits on the day to lead the Storm (4-4, 2-0 American Rivers), who played on their home diamond for the first time since April 24, 2019. Sophomore Maddie Luderman enjoyed her home debut, going 4-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs.

Simpson pounded 21 hits in the doubleheader and got complete games in the circle from Emily Bell in game one and Randie Richmond in game two. Bell allowed just two hits in the final six innings of her game one win and Richmond didn't allow an earned run to improve to 2-0 on the year.

Game One: Simpson 7, Buena Vista 3
The Storm trailed 1-0 after the top of the first inning but responded quickly. Richmond drew a leadoff walk before Trent hit a laser over the left-field fence to put Simpson ahead 2-1. Simpson went on to draw three, bases-loaded walks to take a6-1 lead after the first.

The five-run cushion was more than enough for Bell, who settled down after a rocky first inning. She struck out six and allowed just one earned run to pick up her first win of the season.

Simpson's bats went quiet until the fifth. Trent roped a base hit down the left-field line to score Luderman, extending the lead to 7-1.

Trent finished the game with four RBIs.

Game Two: Simpson 7, Buena Vista 1
Peyton Gross silenced Simpson's bats in the first three innings of game two before Bell doubled and scored on a wild pitch in the fourth. Then, with the bases loaded, Stamm delivered the biggest hit of the game. The sophomore roped a bases-clearing double off the left-field wall and Simpson took a 4-0 lead after four.

Brooke Tucker added an RBI single in the fifth and Luderman crushed a solo homer to center in the sixth. Megan Crocket added an RBI double in the sixth to give Simpson seven runs in its final three at-bats.

Richmond allowed just four hits in the circle, striking out three. The junior changed speeds effectively, keeping Buena Vista off-balance with a devastating changeup.

Up Next
Simpson and Buena Vista complete their three-game series Sunday at Simpson Complex. Start time is set for 1 p.m.