Storm pitchers lead Simpson to doubleheader sweep

DUBUQUE, Iowa -- The Simpson College softball team swept a doubleheader against Dubuque to open the three-game series on Friday. The Storm won 3-1 in the first and ended the day with a 6-2 triumph.

Brooke Tucker and Taryan Barrick-Wessels both went the distance in their respective games inside the circle for the Storm (15-16, 12-11 A-R-C).

The offense registered 19 hits between the two contests, while the Spartans (22-16, 10-13 A-R-C) were held to 10.

Game One: Simpson 3, Dubuque 1
Karlie Hill put the Storm on the board early in the top of the first with a sacrifice fly to score Camrey Leo.

After sending Dubuque down in order through the first two frames, Tucker helped herself inside the circle with a run-scoring double in the third. Tucker gave up her first hit in the fourth on a double, before allowing her first run to score on another double to put the game at 2-1.

The hosts had a chance to tie the game with two runners on in the sixth. Tucker was able to get out of the jam with a fly out to send the game into the seventh.

Maddie Luderman helped her battery mate with a solo shot in the final inning. Luderman is now tied for second in the American Rivers Conference with seven homers. Tucker capped off the contest with a one-two-three frame for her third triumph of the season.

Tucker allowed only four hits in the complete game, with two occurring through the first five innings.

Liv Erickson, Leo and Luderman all had two hits, while Leo legged out a triple in the first.

Game Two: Simpson 6, Dubuque 2
Just like the first game, Simpson's pitcher provided some offense.

Before Barrick-Wessels even threw a pitch, she drove in Erickson for a 1-0 advantage in the first. Dubuque prevented any further damage from occuring as the Storm sent seven batters to the plate to begin game two.

Simpson plated a pair of runs in the second to increase the lead to 3-0. Hill drove in Olivia Allen on a fielder's choice and Leo scored on an error on the same play.

After the Spartans scored a run in the second, their offense was poised to add a few more in the third. The leadoff hitter led the frame off with a double and moved to third on a single. With runners on the corners, Barrick-Wessels induced a line out to Taylor Stamm at second, which she then tossed to Caitlynne Shadle at third for a double play.

The Storm padded its lead with two runs in the fifth and the hosts responded with one in the sixth to place the game at 5-2. Sara Trent tallied the last RBI of the day in the seventh to widen the buffer.

Barrick-Wessels gave up just one earned run to secure her fourth win of the season.

At the dish, four batters recorded at least two hits.

Up Next
Simpson finishes the regular season with a 1 p.m. game at Dubuque tomorrow.