Behind back-to-back 4-0 shutouts, seventh-ranked Simpson swept Nebraska Wesleyan to close out conference regular season play on Saturday as heard live on 94.3 KNIA.
In game one, Ashlyn Steen started off the game with a single and stolen base and eventually scored on a Mackenzie James sac-fly to put the Storm up 1-0 in the first. In the third, for Steen’s next at bat, the senior connected on her fifth home run of the season, a solo shot to right to double the lead. Addison Gookin continued to add to the lead in the third with an RBI single to center, scoring Megan Heidelbauer and make it a 3-0 ballgame. The final touch came in the fourth when a throwing error to first allowed Brynn Ortlund to score from second.
In game two, Brynn Ortlund got the Storm on the board in the third with a bunt single then proceeded to get the Prairie Wolves’ attention on the basepaths, allowing Caelynn Obleton to score. Katie Shaner provided some more power with a home run to deep center and extending the Storm lead to 2-0 in the fourth. Senior Savana Walls delivered a clutch sac-fly in the sixth to bring home Shaner before a Gracie Bruening single to left plated Gookin to double the Storm lead to 4-0. Marina Cronin put together one of her best outings of the year, going the distance and allowing no runs on five hits, zero walks, and six strikeouts.
Up next for Simpson is a weekend series in Illinois at Augustana.
