REDDING, Calif. - The Simpson softball squad took on the #4 team in the nation Southern Oregon University this afternoon. 

The Red Hawks drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning as they plated three runs on an RBI single by Madyson Welch and a clutch two-out two-run double by Jessica Heck. 

Simpson added another run in the second inning on a two-out rally by leadoff hitter Nicolena Holen as she singled into shallow left field. 

Holen went on to steal second base and came around to score on an RBI single by Ariel Schulzkump to extend Simpson's lead, to 4-0. 

The Raiders got on the board in the third inning as they plated one run on a Simpson miscue. 

But Simpson got the run back in the bottom of the fourth inning as a leadoff double by Hollee Jamison came around to score on an RBI single by Holen. 

The Raiders chipped away in the fifth inning as they scored two runs and took advantage of two Red Hawk errors. 

A big play from Center fielder Kayley Vaillette helped preserve the Simpson two-run lead as she went up and beyond the center field fence to take away a game-tying two-run home run in the seventh. 



However, the Raiders did not go quietly as they took advantage of one Red Hawk error and pushed across the tying and go-ahead run on a two-out two-run single to take the 6-5 lead. 

Simpson put the tying run in scoring position but could not push across the tying run as the Raiders escaped Redding with a 6-5 come-from-behind victory. 

Jacquelyn Lujan through a gem but took the tough loss as she fired seven complete innings and allowed zero earned runs as she held the Raiders bats in check. 

Holen paced the Simpson offense as she notched a team-high three hits and drove in one run while Welch and Schulzkump posted two-hit performances while driving in one run each. 

Simpson looks to bounce back as they hit the road to take on Jessup University on Friday in a doubleheader starting at noon. 

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