Storm rout Warriors in game two to claim split in Florida

CLERMONT, Fla. - The Simpson College softball team rebounded from a close loss to Marywood by defeating Wisconsin Lutheran 11-0 in five innings, Tuesday, at Hancock Park.

The Storm (9-3) saw its eight-game win streak snapped by the Pacers (3-0) of Marywood, but did not let that get them down, as Simpson dominated Wisconsin Lutheran in game two. The Storm are now 7-1 in Florida, with four games to come on Thursday and Friday.

Game One: Marywood 3, Simpson 2

The Pacers came into the game unbeaten, having easily won both of their opening games the previous day. The Storm saw its eight-game winning streak snapped, but almost pulled off a comeback victory. Both ball clubs saw a host of baserunners, but could not fully capitalize. The Pacers had nine hits, with the Storm recording six hits.

The Pacers took the early lead, with the Storm trailing for only the second time in Florida. The Storm threatened in the top of the third, but the Pacers worked around it to maintain their lead. The Pacers added to their lead in the bottom of the third, taking a 2-0 lead after a base hit scored a runner on third. Another base hit for Marywood almost made it 3-0, but a great throw from center field by Ashlyn Steen caught the Marywood baserunner in between third and home, eventually being run down to end the inning.

For the Pacers, starting pitcher Mara Hamm was throwing well, but the Storm simply could not capitalize on early opportunities with baserunners. Hamm and the Pacers defense made a couple plays to save runs early and then added another run in the bottom of the fourth. The Pacers threatened to break the game open, but a beautiful double play turned by Alexis Ehlers kept the Storm within reach, catching a liner and then flipping it to Kate Kriegel at second base to get the runner out before she got back to the bag.

Kriegel gave the Storm offense life in the top of the fifth, smashing a home run to center field to cut into the deficit, making it a 3-1 game. Sierra Franklin, who came into pitch in the fourth inning, prevented the Pacers from creating any more opportunities offensively, giving the Storm chances to cut into the deficit even more. In the top of the sixth, Zoe Baker smacked a one-out double into left field and then was pinch run for by Kayla Jack. Jack advanced to third base, but Hamm and the Pacers thwarted the Storm again.

The Storm were down to its final three outs in the top of the seventh, but started well after a leadoff double by freshman Megan Heidelbauer. After the Pacers recorded an out, Steen reached on an infield hit, with Heidelbauer going to third. Steen stole second before Kriegel drove in another run with a sacrifice fly, scoring Heidelbauer. The Storm needed a two-out hit to tie the game, with Maddie Luderman making good contact, but the Pacers right fielder made a nice play on the ball to snap the Storm's winning streak.

Game Two: Simpson 11, Wisconsin Lutheran 0

The Storm gave Kylee Tucker her second start of the year, as the local Indianola product gave the Storm two innings of scoreless softball. The Storm threatened in the bottom of the first, with Cameron Martin launching a drive to center field, but the center fielder for the Warriors (4-4) made a good play to end the inning. The Storm erupted in the bottom of the second, starting with Kriegel making more plays at the plate. Her hard-hit ball to third forced an error, scoring the first run of the day for the Storm. With the bases loaded, Luderman drew a walk, doubling the Storm lead to 2-0. Up stepped Karlie Hill, who smashed a bases-clearing double, sending home another three runs and extending the Storm lead to 5-0. Despite a pitching change for the Warriors, Ehlers bombed a three run-home run over the left field fence on the first pitch, giving the Storm an 8-0 lead after two innings.

Storm head coach Brent Matthias reached deep into his pitching staff to close out the Warriors, with Madeline Petersen entering in the top of the third to pitch first. After walking the first two batters, Petersen settled in and got out of the jam, striking out three of four batters to end the ending. Laurel Stice made her second appearance of the year in the top of the fourth, only needing six pitches to send the Warriors back down in 1-2-3 fashion.

The Storm added to its lead in the bottom half of the frame, with three straight hits. Kayla Jack reached on a leadoff single, Jenna Norris unleashed a hard-hit double to advance Jack to third, before Makayla Bryant drove both home with a two-run double down the right-field line. The Storm put the finishing touches on the inning after a fielder's choice by Abby Meier, scoring Bryant, giving Simpson an 11-0 lead.

Macy Emgarten made her debut for the Storm, pitching the fifth inning. Emgarten contributed to the combined shutout, facing five batters, as the Storm rebounded from a close game one loss to take game two 11-0 in five innings.

The Storm collected 16 hits across the two games, outhitting their opponents again, allowing 12 hits, with Wisconsin Lutheran managing just three of those. Petersen and Stice had four combined strikeouts in game two, while Franklin chipped in with one punchout in game one. Ehlers and Hill each had three RBIs to lead the team, while Kriegel and Bryant had a pair of RBIs as well.

Up Next

The Storm will be off tomorrow, before wrapping up the trip with two games each day on Thursday and Friday. Simpson will take on Springfield in another 8 a.m. central time first pitch on Thursday, before facing off Edgewood shortly after.