The Simpson College softball team fell to Coe in a road doubleheader in conference play on Wednesday afternoon, falling in game one 10-0 and game two 6-5. In game one, the game was largely a defensive battle early on, with both offenses hitting a lot of easily fieldable ground balls. The Kohawks struck first in the third inning though, with a two-run double to open the scoring. Despite a pitching change, Coe plated two more to take a 4-0 lead into the fourth inning. The Kohawks continued their offensive charge with runs in the fourth and fifth innings to claim the victory.
The Storm got off to a better start in game two, with freshman Mackenzie James hitting a solo shot to left field in the second inning. The Kohawks got one back in the bottom half, but the Storm also provided an immediate answer as Ehlers was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Maddie Luderman’s sacrifice fly gave Simpson a 3-1 lead, but Coe tied it with a two-run fourth inning. Freshman Makayla Fowler was called on to pinch hit and came up huge with an infield single that scored Katie Shaner. Ehlers smashed her seventh home run of the year to give Simpson a 5-3 lead, but Coe got the first two base runners on before Madi Parson walked the game off with a three run-home run.
Simpson is now 24-10 overall and 7-5 in conference play, and has a crucial matchup with rival Central on Saturday.