Storm stay unbeaten in conference play with multiple milestones

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson College softball team extended its win streak to 18 games to stay perfect in conference play, as Ashlyn Steen and Maddie Luderman each set milestones on the day.

The Storm (23-5, 6-0 A-R-C) are off to their best start in conference play since 2011, blanking the Prairie Wolves (18-7, 1-3 A-R-C) in each game. Maddie Luderman's five RBIs on the day meant she became the program's all-time leader in the category, while Ashlyn Steen smacked her 100th career hit. Luderman also set the all-time program record for walks, earning two straight walks in game one to set the mark.

"Our defense played really well, turning three double plays on the day," said Storm head coach Brent Matthias. "Our pitching only gave up three hits in two games against a really good team that came in with a record of 18-5. Pitching, defense, and hitting are all really firing right now and it's clear this team is also having a lot of fun."

GAME ONE: Simpson 9, Nebraska Wesleyan 0 (6 Innings)

• Freshman Katie Shaner smacked a three-run home run in the bottom of the second, her second career home run.
• The Storm defense kept the Prairie Wolves off the board despite a couple baserunners, including a 5-4-3 double play in the third.
• The Storm added another two runs via the long ball, with Alexis Ehlers hitting a high-arcing ball over the left field fence.
• Nebraska Wesleyan threatened in the sixth inning once again, but the Storm turned another 5-4-3 double play to remain unscathed.
• Luderman had an impressive game, drawing two walks in her first two plate appearances to break the all-time program record for walks, before smacking the 30th home run of career.
• Kate Kriegel drove in the Storm's only run that was not from a home run, a sacrifice fly to score Rylee Purvis, allowing Steen to end the game in six innings with a two-run homer to center field.
• Madeline Petersen allowed just two hits over six innings, improving her win-loss record to 6-0.

GAME ONE LEADERS

• Katie Shaner: 2-for-2, HR, 3 RBI, 2B, run
• Maddie Luderman: 1-for-1, HR, RBI, 2 BB, 2 runs
• Alexis Ehlers: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, run
• Ashlyn Steen: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, run
• Madeline Petersen: 6 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 0 ER, 2 SO, win

GAME TWO: Simpson 8, Nebraska Wesleyan 0 (6 Innings)

• The Storm got off to a hotter offensive start in game two, with Ehlers and Luderman smacking RBI doubles to give Simpson a 3-0 lead.
• Ehlers added her second RBI of the game in the second inning, driving in Steen with a sacrifice fly.
• Both teams then settled in, as Taryan Barrick-Wessels and the Storm defense continued to throttle any attempts from Nebraska Wesleyan to score.
• Steen collected her 100th career hit in the game, as her 101st added on to the Storm lead. She singled to left field to drive in Obleton and then scored herself after an RBI single from Heidelbauer.
• That set the stage for Luderman, who lifted a ball that landed fair near the right field line, scoring Ehlers and Heidelbauer, to walk the game off in six innings and give her the all-time Simpson RBI record.

GAME TWO LEADERS

• Maddie Luderman: 3-for-4, 4 RBI, 2 2B
• Ashlyn Steen: 3-for-4, 3 runs, RBI, 2B, 2 SB
• Megan Heidelbauer: 3-for-3, 2 runs, RBI, SB
• Alexis Ehlers: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 runs, 2B
• Taryan Barrick-Wessels: 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO, win

NOTABLE

• Maddie Luderman now has 112 career RBIs, passing Hailey Jansen for most all-time.
• The Storm are now 18-4 against the Prairie Wolves all-time.
• Simpson's win streak is now at 18 games, one shy of matching the longest win streak in a single season (19), set by the 1998 and 1999 squads. The overall record is 24 games, spanning 1997-98.
• The 23 overall wins already match the most wins in a season under head coach Brent Matthias.
• Ashlyn Steen continued her hit streak, extending it to 14 games, while Caelynn Obleton is now on a 13-game hit streak.
• The Storm had 17 hits in game two, the most hits the team has had in a game this season.

RECORD WATCH

• Luderman's home run brings her to just one away from tying the all-time record.
• Ehlers now has 34 RBIs on the year, 12 away from tying the single-season record.

UP NEXT
The Storm have a quick turnaround, facing off with Loras on the road tomorrow afternoon. The games were moved from Thursday to tomorrow due to potential inclement weather.