Unbeaten conference start continues for Storm

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson College softball team continued its unbeaten start to conference play, sweeping Dubuque to improve the team's overall win streak to 16.

The Storm (21-5, 4-0 A-R-C) scored runs in a variety of ways across the two games, led by Ashlyn Steen's 5-for-6 day at the plate. Caelynn Obleton led the team with four RBIs, while the Storm pitching staff only allowed three earned runs, generating a ton of ground ball outs for the Simpson infield.

"We did several things right today that helped us win in this tough conference," said Storm head coach Brent Matthias. "We pitched well with Kylee Tucker and Taryan Barrick-Wessels getting wins and I thought today might have been our best day on the bases. We were 11 for 11 in stolen bases and we really pushed the pace and took extra bases every chance we got. This team has a ton of different ways it can win games."

GAME ONE: Simpson 6, Dubuque 1

• The Storm got a runner on third in each of the first two innings, but the Spartans defense kept the game scoreless.
• Madeline Petersen showed off her athleticism multiple times with fielding surprise bunt attempts, as each team struggled to score with runners in scoring position.
• Ashlyn Steen did the same, dropping a bunt to reach first base, advancing to third after a stolen base and another Storm bunt. Alexis Ehlers drove home Steen for the game's first run via a fielder's choice.
• Dubuque tied the game at 1-1 with a solo home run to left field in the top of the fourth, but Simpson responded immediately as well, with Caelynn Obleton driving in Rylee Purvis from third base.
• Purvis doubled the Storm lead, driving in Ehlers with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth.
• Despite not recording a hit, the Storm scored another run with Obleton drawing a bases-loaded walk.
• Steen finally ended that streak as the next batter, with a single to left field, scoring another two runs and giving Simpson a 6-1 lead.
• Kylee Tucker shut the door over the final three innings, earning the win to improve to 6-0.

GAME ONE LEADERS

• Ashlyn Steen: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 SB, BB, run
• Caelynn Obleton: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, SB
• Alexis Ehlers: 0-for-2, RBI, 3 SB
• Kate Kriegel: 1-for-2, run, 3B
• Kylee Tucker: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, win

GAME TWO

• The Spartans got on the board early, taking advantage of two Storm defensive errors to take a 1-0 lead.
• After a walk from Megan Heidelbauer, some chaos on the basepaths allowed Steen to score to knot the game up at one a piece after the first inning.
• Kriegel gave the Storm the lead in the next inning, lacing a double that bounced off the Spartans' third baseman and rolled down the left field line.
• Ehlers added to Simpson's lead after a triple from Steen, driving her in via a sacrifice fly for the second straight game.
• The Storm continued their streak of scoring in every inning, with RBI singles from Jenna Norris and Obleton. Steen laid down a sacrifice bunt to add another run and give Simpson a 6-1 lead.
• Dubuque was not going down easily in game two though, getting a two-out RBI double to cut the lead to 6-3.
• The Storm gave themselves some breathing room in the bottom of the sixth, allowing Taryan Barrick-Wessels to close the game easily.

GAME TWO LEADERS

• Ashlyn Steen: 3-for-3, 2 runs, RBI, 3B, SB
• Kate Kriegel: 2-for-3, 2 runs, RBI, 2B, SB
• Caelynn Obleton: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2B, run
• Alexis Ehlers: 1-for-3, RBI
• Mackenzie James: 1-for-3, 2 runs
• Taryan Barrick-Wessels: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, win

NOTABLE

• The Storm are now 72-11 all-time against Dubuque.
• The Storm now have an overall win streak of 16 games.
• For the first time since 2011, the Storm have won their opening four games in conference play.
• Simpson also has its first win streak of at least four games in conference play since the 2016 season.
• Simpson stole 11 bases between the two games, including eight in game one.

UP NEXT
The Storm look to continue its unbeaten start in conference play against Nebraska Wesleyan next Tuesday.