No. 10/11 Storm salvage doubleheader split with Central with 10-run game-two effort

PELLA, Iowa - After dropping the opener of a doubleheader to No. 23 Central, No. 10/11 Simpson erupted for 10 runs on 14 hits in game two to salvage a split on the road.

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS

• Central loaded the bases in the first, and capitalized on the opportunity, scoring three runs on a wild pitch, and an RBI single to right.
• The Dutch added to the lead in the third inning, once again loading the bases, with a hit-by-pitch, and RBI single making it a 5-0 ballgame.
• After Central scored one more in the fourth, Katie Shaner stopped the rally, throwing out the runner at home to end the inning, her second outfield assist on the year.
• Simpson mounted a comeback attempt in the seventh, driving in three runs with two outs on the board.
• Brynn Ortlund doubled to right center, scoring Alexis Voss to kick-off the scoring, followed by an RBI single from Ashlyn Steen that scored two on the play.
• Despite the late offensive surge from the Storm bats, Central managed to hang on for the 7-3 win.

GAME ONE LEADERS

Ashlyn Steen - 2-for-2, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 SB
Brynn Ortlund - 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 2B
Taryn Fredrickson - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS

• Simpson carried the momentum over into the second game, striking for two runs in the first. Shaner delivered an RBI single and later in the inning, stole home as Central got a runner in a rundown.
• In the second, Steen and Heidelbauer capitalized with productive outs, scoring two on a sac fly and a groundball to extend the Storm lead to 4-0.
• After Central added two runs in the third, Heidelbauer punched open a five-run lead in the fourth with her third home run of the season, a three-run blast to center.
• Later in the inning, Brielyn Ginnaty added to the offensive outpouring, clubbing her team-leading fifth home run of the year, a two-run shot to left to make it 9-2.
• In the fifth, a two-out triple from Steen set up Heidelbauer to drive in her fifth RBI of the game, and putting the Storm up 10-2.
• Emma LaFave got the start in the circle for the Storm, going the distance, allowing just the two runs on three hits and three strikeouts.

GAME TWO LEADERS

Megan Heidelbauer - 2-for-3, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1 R
Ashlyn Steen - 3-for-3, 1 3B, 3 R, 1 RBI
Brielyn Ginnaty - 2-for-2, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R
Emma LaFave - 5 IP, W, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 K

UP NEXT

Simpson continues the road trip with a stop at Loras on Saturday, April 18 for a doubleheader scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.