REDDING, Calif. - The Simpson softball team kicked off a four-game home stand today as they took on Warner Pacific this afternoon in a doubleheader. 

The Red Hawks drew first blood in the second inning as a leadoff single by Hallie Prather came around to score on a two-out RBI single by Nicolena Holen to give Simpson the 1-0 lead. 

Simpson added two more insurance runs in the fourth inning as Jayden Bayani tripled home Kayley Vaillette followed by an RBI single by Ariel Schulzkump. 

Starter Jacquelyn Lujan had it working as she quieted the Knights' offense as she allowed one hit through her first four innings of work.

However, the Knights tied the game in the top of the fifth inning on a three-run blast before the Red Hawks reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a solo shot by Madyson Welch. 

The Knights did not go quietly as they took the one-run lead as they plated two runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Simpson rallied back in the bottom half of the inning as a big error by Warner Pacific allowed the leadoff batter, Brianna Cortez-Lopez to reach base safely. 

Hollee Jamison came through with a sacrifice fly to left field to drive home pinch-runner Madeline Moorhead to tie the game at five. 

Vaillette came through with the game-winning two-out RBI single on a groundball back up the middle to give Simpson the come-from-behind 6-5 victory. 

Lujan picked up the complete game win as she struck out 11 Warner Pacific batters. 

Welch had a big game as she went 3-4 including a home run while Hallie Prather and Bayani posted two-hit performances. 

Game 2: 

The Red Hawks looked for the sweep on the day behind starter Lily Rojas. 

Simpson exploded in the second inning as they plated seven runs as they capitalized off two Warner Pacific errors. 

Morgynn Wylie stroked an RBI single into left field, Holen picked up a two-run single on a groundball back up the middle, and Brianna Lopez-Cortez roped a two-run double to give Simpson the commanding 7-0 lead. 

The combined efforts of Rojas, Katelyne Robinett, Jordan Smith, and Isabella Contreras closed out the 7-3 game two victory as they combined to allow just one earned run. 

Holen and Lopez-Cortez led the Simpson bats with two hit performances as they combined for four RBIs while Smith earned the win as she fired two innings while allowing zero earned runs. 

Simpson looks to complete the sweep tomorrow as game one is set for an 11 am start time. 
 

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