Softball begins Florida trip with two victories

CLERMONT, Fla. - Starting a spring trip that will feature 14 games in eight days, Simpson softball began the week with two victories on Saturday afternoon.

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS

• Simpson struck right away, scoring Steen in the top of the first after a throwing error, followed by a groundout by James, which plated Heidelbauer.
• After River Falls answered back in the bottom of the first with two, Simpson once again put two runs on the board, this time in the top of the second. RBI groundouts from Kriegel and Steen made it a 4-2 Storm lead.
• In the third, Simpson added another two runs in the frame, starting with an RBI double from Fowler, who then scored an RBI single up the middle from Obleton.
• Shaner expanded the lead for the Storm in the fourth with her RBI single to left, scoring Heidelbauer, making it a 7-3 lead for Simpson.
• The Storm added their final runs in the fifth, scoring three more to secure the 10-3 victory.
• Kylee Tucker got the start, going two innings allowing three runs, but only one earned before Alyssa Breckner earned the win after throwing five shutout innings, striking out two.

GAME ONE LEADERS

Makayla Fowler - 3-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 Run
Katie Shaner - 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 Run
Caelynn Obleton - 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 Run
Alyssa Breckner - 5 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 K

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS

• James once again provided some early offense for the Storm, scoring Heidelbauer on an RBI triple to right field.
• In the second inning, after Simpson managed to load the bases for Heidelbauer, she delivered the clutch bases-clearing triple in the right center gap to break open a 4-0 lead.
• Simpson put the game out of reach in the fourth, scoring five runs on RBI hits from Ehlers, Shaner, and Bruening.
• Emma LaFave got the start inside the circle and went the full five innings, allowing only four hits, no runs, and punched out six batters.

GAME TWO LEADERS

Megan Heidelbauer - 3-for-3, 3 RBI, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 3B
Mackenzie James - 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 3B
Gracie Bruening - 1-for-2, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB
Emma LaFave - 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 6 K

UP NEXT

Simpson gears up for a doubleheader tomorrow, Sunday March 16 starting with New Paltz at 8:00 a.m. then Wisconsin-Whitewater at 12:30 p.m.