Storm comeback twice to sweep Monmouth

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson College softball team was down in both games, but came back each time to sweep a pair of non-conference games against Monmouth on Tuesday afternoon.

The Storm (22-14, 3-9 A-R-C) were involved in a defensive battle in game one against the Fighting Scots (13-25, 5-9 MWC), but erupted in the later innings of game two to complete comebacks in each. Maddie Luderman hit two home runs, giving her 25 for her career and moving into second place on the all-time home run list. Luderman also now has 43 RBIs on the season, putting her two away from tying the single-season record.

Game One: Simpson 4, Monmouth 3

The Storm began the game with a combo of infield hits and the long ball. Steen led off with an infield single and advanced to second after an error, but was called out for leaving early after trying to get to third base following a fly out from Alexis Ehlers. The wind was whipping all day, routinely seeing fly balls get over heads of outfielders on both teams. In the case of Luderman, it was over the fence, which gave the Storm a 1-0 lead with a solo shot to right center field for her 11th home run of the year. The Storm loaded the bases with two more infield singles and a walk, but were unable to add to the lead.

After that, the game became a pitcher's duel between Taryan Barrick-Wessels and Abby Leber. Barrick-Wessels retired seven in a row at one point, while Leber overcame the rough first inning to retire 10 in a row.

The top of the fifth changed that though, after a leadoff walk for the Fighting Scots led to a double by the next batter that carried over the head of the Storm outfield. An infield hit tied the game, before Monmouth gained the lead with a single to center. The Fighting Scots tacked on one more after a Storm error to take a 3-1 lead after the half inning.

The Storm needed to rally in the bottom of the seventh against Leber, who had retired 16 straight entering the inning. Megan Heidelbauer led off with a fortunate infield hit which hit off Leber's leg, giving the Storm its first base runner since the first inning. Kate Kriegel singled to center field, as Karlie Hill drew a walk and suddenly the Storm loaded the bases with no outs against Leber. Leber was possibly a bit rattled from the Heidelbauer hit, walking pinch hitter Jenna Norris to score a run, prompting a pitching change.

However, the change did not do the Fighting Scots much good, as Caelynn Obleton also drew a walk to tie the game, leaving the bases loaded with no outs still. Steen then came up and singled to left field on the first pitch, scoring pinch runner Abby Meyer to walk the game off.

The win was the first time the Storm won after trailing after six innings. Steen and Heidelbauer each had two hits, as the hit count between the two clubs tied at seven overall. Barrick-Wessels struck out six and Makayla Bryant earned the win for the Storm, striking out three over 2.2 innings of scoreless softball.

Game Two: Simpson 16, Monmouth 8 (six innings)

The Storm had a dangerous start to game two, as the first three Monmouth batters reached to load the bases. However, the next batter lined a ball right back to Storm starter Sierra Franklin and she quickly threw to first to get the double play before the runner got back. Franklin then took care of the final out by fielding a soft grounder and throwing to Hill at first. The Storm had its own opportunity after Steen reached on an infield single, stealing second and then advancing to third on a wild pitch, but the Fighting Scots also got out of the inning.

The top of the second was led off by Heidelbauer, who launched a shot to dead center on the first pitch, drawing first blood for the Storm. Steen preserved the Storm lead with an incredible jumping catch at the wall, which proved crucial after the next batter singled, but Franklin got the next batter to pop up.

Another Storm error led to a bloop single to tie the game, before Monmouth hit a two-run homer to take a 3-1 lead. Monmouth was not done there either, as another two-run homer gave them a 5-1 lead.

The bottom of the fifth was an explosion for the Storm. Obleton and Steen both got on base before Ehlers smashed a three-run shot to cut the lead to one run. Luderman then stepped up and tied the game with her second home run of the day. The Storm were not done yet though, forcing the Fighting Scots to use four pitchers in one inning as they took a 9-5 lead after RBI singles from Kriegel and Ehlers sandwiched in between a two-run single from Obleton.

However, Monmouth answered back with three runs in the top of the sixth, but Cameron Martin launched a solo shot to make the lead 10-8 in the bottom of the inning. Steen then added to her fantastic freshman season with a two-run double to give the Storm some more breathing room. Luderman then broke the game with a bases-clearing single that was mishandeled by the center fielder, making the score 15-8. Martin came back up and sealed the game, with a deep drive to left field dropped at the wall, scoring Luderman and ending the game via the run rule, 16-8.

The Storm collected 16 hits in game two, while Monmouth had 15. Steen had six total hits to lead the Storm over the two games. Ehlers and Luderman each had a team-leading four RBIs as the Storm hit five total home runs across the two games.

Up Next

The Storm are back in action tomorrow at 3 p.m. to host Wartburg in a crucial conference doubleheader.