Storm softball sweeps doubleheader on Opening Day

DAVENPORT, Iowa - The Simpson softball team went 2-0 on Opening Day, taking down Mount Mercy in their opener 4-1 before powering past Monmouth 10-2 on Saturday afternoon.

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS

• Through the first three innings, the Storm had opportunities to score, but left runners in scoring position each frame.
• Mount Mercy (2-4) struck first, scoring their lone run of the game in the fourth inning on an RBI single, but Tucker and the Storm were able to escape the jam with an unassisted double play.
• Katie Shaner led off the fourth with a single but two quick outs put the inning in jeopardy. Kate Kriegel and Steens kept the inning alive with back-to-back walks to bring up Heidelbauer. Heidelbauer cleared the bases with a double to center, putting Simpson on top 3-1.
• Heidelbauer struck again in the sixth inning, this time with another two-out RBI single, scoring Caelynn Oberton, and sealing the game 4-1.
• Tucker got the start in the circle, picking up her first win of the season after tossing four innings, allowing just one run and striking out three. Breckner came in to close the door with three shutout innings with two strikeouts.

GAME ONE LEADERS

• Megan Heidelbauer - 2-4, 4 RBI, 1 Double, 1 Stolen Base
• Alexis Ehlers - 1-2, 2 Walks, 2 Stolen Bases
• Ashlyn Steen - 1-2, 1 Walk, 1 Run
• Kylee Tucker - 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 SO
• Alyssa Breckner - 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 SO

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS

• Simpson struck first on an RBI bunt from Obleton in the second inning, scoring James.
• The Storm added three more in the third inning on an RBI walk from Ginnaty, single from Bruening, and finally a fielder's choice by Obleton to make it a 4-0 game.
• After Monmouth scored their lone two runs of the game in the third, Simpson put the game out of reach in the fourth with a five-run frame. Starting with an RBI single from Heidelbauer, Bruening added a two RBI single to center, followed by Schertz two RBI single up the middle to stretch the score to 9-2.
• The final run came in the fifth on a ground out that plated Ellwanger as Simpson coasted to the 10-2 result.
• Emma LaFave made the most of her start in the circle, going four innings, allowing just two runs on three hits with three strikeouts before Breckner closed out the final frame.

GAME TWO LEADERS

• Mackenzie James - 2-3, 2 Runs
• Gracie Bruening - 2-3, 3 RBI, 1 Run
• Caelynn Obleton - 1-2, 2 RBI, 1 Walk, 2 Stolen Bases
• Emma LaFave - 4 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 SO

UP NEXT

The Storm return to action in March, heading to Westminster on Saturday, March 8 for a doubleheader.