Storm kickoff Florida trip with win over Blue Devils

CLERMONT, Fla. – Taryan Barrick-Wessels struck out eight, Maddie Luderman hit her third home run of the season, and the Simpson College softball team defeated Fredonia 5-2 in its first outing at The Spring Games on Saturday.

The Storm (3-1) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to a run-scoring double from Megan Crockett and a throwing error by the Blue Devils (0-5). Simpson then added a run in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings as Luderman hit a solo shot over the left field fence, Randie Richmond scored on a sacrifice fly by Crockett, and Liv Erickson brought Mya Willey home with an infield single.

Barrick-Wessels tossed the first six innings for her second win in the circle. The junior from Ackley, Iowa has yet to allow an earned run this season and has tallied 17 strikeouts over the course of her 15.1 innings of work. Brooke Fonley came in to pitch the final three outs of the game and picked up two more strikeouts on her way to her first save of the season.

Erickson and Molly Platte each notched multi-hit games, while Crockett led the team with two RBI. Erickson stole two bases and Willey and Olivia Allen added a couple more as Simpson went 4-for-4 in attempts.

Up Next
Simpson continues action in Florida with two games on Sunday. The Storm will face North Park at 1 p.m. CST and Amherst at 3:30 p.m. CST.