Late-inning offense propels Simpson to two wins

CLERMONT, Fla. – The Simpson College softball team collected two more non-conference wins on Monday as the Storm defeated Washington College 8-5 before earning a run-rule victory over William Paterson, 10-1.

The Storm (6-2) did most of their damage during the sixth inning of each game as they scored 12 of their 18 runs in the frame. Simpson pushed four runs across in the sixth inning of game one and exploded for eight in the sixth inning of game two.

Simpson has won four of five contests at The Spring Games with eight more to play. The Storm take on Defiance (10:30 a.m.) and Wisconsin Lutheran (3:15 p.m.) on Tuesday.

Game 1: Simpson 8, Washington College 5 (7 innings)
The Storm broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in the fifth and added four more in the sixth to build an 8-2 advantage. Crockett scored two with her first long ball of the year, Karlie Hill scored on an error in the fifth before adding a run in the sixth with her second double of the game, and Kate Kriegel tallied her first RBI in Simpson uniform.

The Shorewomen (2-3) mounted a comeback in the final inning, but only managed three runs before back-to-back groundouts ended the game.

Olivia Allen and Hill were both 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Crockett was 1-for-3 with a walk and a trio of RBIs.

Randie Richmond got the start in the circle and went 4.2 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits. Brooke Tucker picked up her second win in as many days with one strikeout in 1.1 innings, and Brooke Fonley recorded the final three outs for Simpson.

Game 2: Simpson 10, William Paterson 1 (6 innings)
The Pioneers (3-2) struck first with an RBI-groundout in the bottom of the first and maintained that lead until an error allowed Allen and Taryan Barrick-Wessels to score in the fourth.

Simpson's remaining eight runs all came in the sixth inning as the Storm capitalized on five hits and another error. The big inning was highlighted by a two-run double from Maddie Luderman and a bunt single from Kriegel which loaded the bases for the first time.

Eight batters tallied a hit for the Storm, while seven drove in a run and nine scored.

Barrick-Wessels went the distance in the circle for her third win of the season. After allowing the early run, the junior settled down and scattered just three hits the rest of the way. She finished with five strikeouts.