Softball shuts out Beavers to earn split in league play

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Maddie Luderman had a perfect day at the plate, Brooke Tucker notched her first complete-game shutout, and the Simpson College softball team split its American Rivers Conference doubleheader with Buena Vista on Tuesday. 

The Beavers (21-11, 5-5 A-R-C) tallied a 6-4 win in the opener, while the Storm (18-13, 3-7 A-R-C) were victorious 2-0 in game two. 

Luderman finished the day 4-for-4 highlighted by a double in game one and a solo home run in the nightcap. She drew three walks and scored twice to lead the Storm in the split. Olivia Allen, Kate Kriegel and Randie Richmond all finished with two hits, while Liv Erickson scored two times.

Game 1: Buena Vista 6, Simpson 4
The Storm put up a crooked number in the bottom of the first, tallying three runs on one hit and two errors for a 3-1 advantage. After a scoreless second, the two teams traded a run in the third as Simpson regained its two-run edge when Randie Richmond scored on another Beaver error. 

Buena Vista tallied five of its eight hits in the fifth frame, scoring four runs to go out in front. Simpson left two runners on in the bottom half and loaded the bases in the sixth, but was unable to do any damage.

Game 2: Simpson 2, Buena Vista 0
Luderman clubbed a home run in the bottom of the first and set the stage for another run to score in the fifth as her base hit down the left field line got away from the outfielder and allowed Erickson to score. The hit was her third of the game following a single in the third.    

Tucker threw the first complete-game shutout of her career and picked up her fifth win of the season. She allowed just three hits while striking out three and walking one.  

Up Next
Simpson has three conference doubleheaders left on the schedule. The Storm will host Nebraska Wesleyan and Luther around a road doubleheader at Wartburg.