Errors send Storm to pair of defeats against Coe

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson College softball team dropped a pair of conference games to nationally ranked Coe, Saturday, at the Simpson Softball Complex.

The Kohawks (21-2, 6-0 A-R-C) extended their lead at the top of the American Rivers Conference, scoring multiple runs in the first inning of each game. The Storm (18-8, 1-3 A-R-C) committed a few costly errors that led to runs for the Kohawks. Despite the Storm out hitting the Kohawks by one, the Kohawks put up 10 runs, while the Storm could only score twice.

Game One: Coe 6, Simpson 1

The Kohawks certainly showed their power to start, with the first three batters all reaching base. The Storm forced a pair of RBI groundouts, trying to keep the score at just 2-0, but Coe launched a two-run double to extend the lead to 4-0.

After that inning, the Storm shut down the Kohawks over the next four innings, but the Storm were unable to produce any offense to cut into the lead. The Kohawks added two more in the sixth inning, after an initial Storm error led to a sacrifice fly followed by a two-out single.

Maddie Luderman got the Storm on the board in the bottom half of the frame, smacking a solo home run to left-center field. The homer gave Luderman her eighth of the year, adding her 37th RBI of the season.

The Storm loaded the bases in the seventh inning with one out, but Coe got a massive strikeout for the second out, followed by a groundout straight back to the pitcher. The Storm outhit the Kohawks in game one, 5-4, but three errors allowed the Kohawks to score six runs on their four hits.

Game Two: Coe 4, Simpson 1

Coe again got off to a quick start in game two, with a walk and single getting the first two hitters aboard. A passed ball followed by a wild pitch allowed the Kohawks to take a 1-0 lead. The second runner who had advanced to third base scored off another single to double the lead at the end of the top of the first.

Luderman again provided a spark in the bottom of the third. Caelynn Obleton reached base and advanced to second on an error, with Luderman driving her home with a single into left field. Luderman got caught rounding second though, halting some momentum for the Storm.

The Kohawks answered right back in the top of the fourth, with another Storm error allowing a runner on base. Coe delivered again with a two-run double to break the game open. The Storm had two runners on with one out in the bottom half, but the Coe pitching staff got another critical strikeout, followed by a routine groundout. That was the best remaining chance the Storm got, as the Kohawks held Simpson off and held on for a 4-1 win.

Luderman provided both RBIs for the Storm, collecting three hits on the day. Taryan Barrick-Wessels and Madeline Petersen combined for seven strikeouts, while Makayla Bryant added 1.2 innings of relief, giving up zero hits or walks.

Up Next

The Storm welcome another nationally ranked team in Central to Indianola, with doubleheader action beginning 3 p.m., next Tuesday.