REDDING, Calif. - The softball team opened its 2025 season today with a doubleheader against #4 in the nation, Southern Oregon University. 

Simpson's leadoff batter Nicolena Holen picked up the first hit of the season with a single on a ground ball through the five six-hole. 

The Raiders drew first blood in the second inning as they scored four runs off four hits. 

However, the Raiders took the commanding lead in the fourth inning as they took advantage of three Red Hawk errors to plate six runs to take the 10-0 lead. 

The Simpson bats could not get it going as they posted two hits one extra-base hit from Kassandra Soria as they fell 11-0. 

Game 2:

The Red Hawks looked to bounce back in game two behind sophomore starter Lily Rojas. 

Simpson got on the board first as a leadoff walk to Holen to begin the game came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Soria. 

But the Raiders grabbed the lead in the top of the third inning as they cashed in four runs to take the 4-1 lead. 

Southern Oregon plated one more run in the fourth inning but a great throw by right fielder Jordan Adami cut down the would-be Raiders' fifth run of the game to hold it to a four-run game. 

Simpson chipped away in the fifth inning as Holen hit a towering blast to left field to make it a three-run game. 

A triple by Jessica Heck to lead off the sixth inning came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Madyson Welch to put Simpson within two.  

The Raiders added two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning to make it a four-run game. 

The Red Hawks looked to mount a rally in the home half of the seventh inning as a two-out walk by Holen came around to score on an RBI triple by Kayley Vaillette. 

However, the Raiders closed out the 7-4 victory to take the twin-bill. 

Heck had a team-high two hits as she picked up a single and a triple in three trips to the plate. 

Simpson looks to bounce back next week as they take on Lincoln University next week Thursday in a twin-bill starting at noon. 

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