Storm pick up win in game one, fall in close battle in game two

CLERMONT, Fla. - The Simpson College softball team defeated Springfield behind two big innings in game one, but succumbed to Edgewood in walk-off fashion in game two, Thursday, at Hancock Park.

The Storm (10-4) are now 8-2 through 10 games on the Florida trip, with two more games left. The Storm defeated the previously unbeaten Pride (6-1) of Springfield, scoring its 12 runs across just two innings. While Simpson has been clean defensively compared to its opponents in Florida, timely errors cost them in a close loss to Edgewood in game two.

Game One: Simpson 12, Springfield 6

The Storm had chances to start fast once again in the bottom of the first, drawing three walks in the inning, but the Pride worked around it to get out of the jam. Taryan Barrick-Wessels got the start in game one again, striking out the side in the top of the second.

The first big inning for the Storm came in the bottom of the second. Freshman Caelynn Obleton hit a two-run single to put the Storm on the board, before Kate Kriegel smashed a double into right-center field, scoring Obleton. With Kriegel on second and Ashlyn Steen on third, the next batter up for Simpson, Maddie Luderman, also knocked a double into right field, scoring both Steen and Kriegel, giving the Storm a healthy 5-0 lead.

The Pride came back with two runs in the top of the fourth, aided by an error earlier in the inning, that allowed the Pride to cut the lead to 5-2 with a pair of two-out base hits. The following inning, Springfield started quick, cutting the lead to 5-3 and had a pair of baserunners on second and third with no outs after another Storm error. With the game then tied at 5-5, Steen made a great throw from center field to allow the Pride to not tag on a sacrifice fly. The Storm got out of the inning and then had a chance to retake the lead, but Zoe Baker's leadoff double was an opportunity the Storm could not convert.

The Storm finally cashed in in the bottom of the sixth. After a bunt by Steen attempting to get Obleton to second, the Pride catcher airmailed a throw, allowing both runners to score and the Storm to retake the lead, 7-5. Luderman and Karlie Hill both hit singles, followed by a walk drawn by Makayla Bryant to load the bases. Alexis Ehlers then rocked a bases clearing double to blow the game open, 10-5. Megan Heidelbauer poured it on even more, doubling to center field, driving in Ehlers. The scoring was capped off by Steen, back at the plate again, whose RBI single made it 12-5.

The Storm only needed three outs to put away the Pride, but the Pride put up a bit of a fight. They cut the lead to 12-6 after an error and then loaded the bases with two outs. However, relief pitcher Sierra Franklin, who earned the win for the Storm, struck out the final batter to give the Storm the win.

Game Two: Edgewood 5, Simpson 4

Game two saw the Storm unable to take advantage of runners in scoring position, while the Eagles (10-5) stayed in the game with timely hitting and being able to capitalize on Storm errors. The Eagles were the ones who started quickly, taking a 2-0 lead after a pair of RBI singles, following a Storm error.
Some fantastic baserunning allowed the Storm to halve the deficit in the top of the third. With Kriegel on third and Caroline Pellett on first, Pellett stole second. With the Eagles focused on the throw to second, Kriegel took off, stealing home to make it 2-1.

The Storm retook the lead in the top of the fifth, starting with a leadoff single and then stolen base from Steen. Luderman singled to advance Steen to third, with Hill next up. Hill then drove in Steen and Kayla Jack, pinch running for Luderman, with a two-run single into left field, giving the Storm a 3-2 lead.

The lead was short-lived though, as Edgewood took it back in the bottom half of the frame. A sacrifice fly tied the game at three and then a one-out basehit gave the Eagles the advantage back, 4-3, heading into the sixth. In a roller coaster game, the Storm got a clutch act of hitting from Jenna Norris. Norris, coming into pinch hit with two outs, drove in Ehlers after a single into right field, tying the game at four.

However, the Eagles snatched victory in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with zero outs. Barrick-Wessels came in and got one strikeout, but a hit through the left side of the infield gave the Eagles the win. The Storm had 13 hits in the game, but surrendered to three errors and left nine runners on base.

Overall, the Storm offense was clicking, collecting 27 total hits over the two games. However, the Storm committed eight errors, while Springfield and Edgewood only committed two totals. The Storm pitching staff was effective in punching out its opponents, collecting 13 strikeouts over the two games.

Ehlers led the Storm with three RBIs on the day. Steen and Luderman joined Ehlers in leading the team in hits, with all three recording four hits. Obleton added two hits, two RBIs and two runs as well.

Up Next

The Storm will wrap up the Florida trip with two early games again tomorrow. Simpson will take on North Park at 8 a.m. tomorrow, before facing off with Sewanee, The University of the South right after. The games will be back at Fortune Road Complex in Kissimmee, Fla., ending the trip where it began.