Simpson Sports Weekend in Review | Apr. 15-16

by Brock Borgeson, Sports Editor
April 17, 2016

Every spring sport competed this weekend, but the biggest news came on the baseball and softball field.

New Simpson hits record: Senior Tori Haag became the all-time Simpson hits leader, recording her record setting 181st hit against Loras on Saturday. She now has 182 in her career.

30-game hit streak comes to a close: Senior right fielder Austin Burlin reached 30 games in his remarkable hit streak with a double in game two of a doubleheader against Luther College on Friday, Apr. 15. His streak ended the next day against Luther, going 0-3. He nearly extended his streak but was robbed on a lineout and a slick play in the hole on a groundout to the shortstop.

Softball extends win streak

Saturday, Apr. 16 Results:

Simpson 11, Loras 3

Simpson 8, Loras 7

Overall Record:

27-6, 6-2 IIAC – 2nd in IIAC

The Storm dominated the IIAC cellar dwelling Duhawks 11-3 in the first game, led by home runs from Abbie Vanvleet and Brianna Chaplin.

Vanvleet also improved to 13-2 in the circle, going 5.1 IP, allowing only one earned run.

Game two was more dicey. Simpson led Loras (12-16) 8-1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning but Loras responded for three runs in each of the last two innings. Second baseman Natalie Mueller tured a game-ending 4-3 double play to end Loras’ threat.

Riley Fisher improved the win, improving to 12-1. She worked around nine hits and four walks, striking out six in 6.0 IP.

Simpson has a mid-week matchup with Buena Vista on Tuesday. The doubleheader will start at 3 p.m.

Baseball swept at Luther, no-hit in game three

Friday, Apr. 15 & 16 Results:

Luther 16, Simpson 2

Luther 14, Simpson 4

Luther 1, Simpson 0

Luther 4, Simpson 3

Overall Record:

8-19, 5-11 IIAC

Luther compiled 26 hits in games one and two to outscore the Storm 30-6. Luther broke game two open with an 11-run third inning as it won the nine-inning game in seven innings due to run-rule.

Jalen Sickels and Trevor Dudar both fell to 1-3 on the mound. Dudar did pick up two RBI in game two, while Gage Reis and Bud Smith both picked up two hits in game one.

Games went differently on Saturday, although the results ended up being the same.

No-Hitter

Luther’s Blake Peterson pitched a no-hitter in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader, walking four but not allowing a Simpson hit as the Norse won 1-0.

In game four of the weekend, Simpson held a lead 3-2 going into the bottom of the ninth inning before the wheels came off.

Luther drew four consecutive hit by pitches off righty reliever Adam Richman, tying the game 3-3. Daultan Gibson then forced a groundout to get the second out before Cody Reimer hit a game-winning infield single to win 4-3 off Dudar.

The game-winning was a softly hit grounder that forced shortstop Keegan Brannin deep in the hole. The throw was late and off the mark as Luther walked off.

Borgeson started game one and fell to 4-3 while Reis took the no-decision. Richman was saddled with the loss, dropping to 0-1.

Simpson plays a doubleheader with Central in Pella on Tuesday before hosting Grinnell in non-conference action on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Men’s Tennis @ Buena Vista – Saturday, Apr. 16

Simpson 6, Buena Vista 3

Overall Record:

Simpson 10-8, 1-3 IIAC

Simpson took advantage of two forfeits, winning four of six singles matches and two of three doubles matches to top Buena Vista (2-19, 1-6).

The Storm’s ten wins is the most since 2004 only the sixth 10-win season in Simpson history according to Simpson sports information.

Peter Rietgraf won his 39th match, earning a tie for third place all-time at Simpson.

Women’s Tennis @ Saint Mary (Neb.) – Saturday, Apr. 16

Saint Mary 7, Simpson 2

Overall Record:

Simpson 5-13, 3-4

Simpson lost to a 5-9 non-conference team in Nebraska on Saturday. The Storm have two more regular season matches, beginning with a home contest against Central on Thursday, Apr. 21 against Central.

Men’s Golf:

Simpson Spring Invite – Sunday, Apr. 17 – Monday, Apr. 18

Results will follow.

Simpson finished 6th/9 at the Webster Invite on Monday and Tuesday of the past week.

Trent Lindenmann finished 6th/63 to lead Simpson, shooting just +8 with a 150. He was tied for first after day one.

Women’s Golf:

Wartburg Spring Invitational – Saturday, Apr. 16 – Sunday, Apr. 17

Day 1 Results:

Simpson – 7th/9 (384, 70 off the pace)

Lydia Martin is 25th to lead Simpson, shooting an 89 through the first round. Round two will be completed today.

Track & Field

Jim Duncan Invite @ Drake Stadium – Friday, Apr 15 – Saturday, Apr. 16

No team results were compiled at the large invitational at Drake University this weekend. Simpson competed well against schools such as Iowa State University, Drake, University of South Dakota, Truman State University and many community colleges and Division III schools.

Here’s a brief list some of Simpson’s best performances:

7th – 100m Dash – Emmitt Wheatley (11.38)

5th – 200m Dash – Travis Tupper (22.49)

3rd – 110 m Hurdles – Dylan Kalinay (15.50)

5th – 110m Hurdles – Isaac Frazier (15.80)

4th – 4x100m Relay (41.10)