CALDWELL, Idaho - The Simpson softball squad clinched a playoff berth in next week's Cascade Conference Tournament with a sweep over College of Idaho today, winning 6-0 and 8-5.
A solo shot by
Grace Chojnacki got the Red Hawks on the board in the first inning, as they extended their lead in the third inning on an RBI single by
Brianna Lopez-Cortez.
The big inning came in the fourth as Simpson plated three runs on two hits and two errors by the Yotes as
Nicolena Holen notched an RBI single.
This proved to be more than enough for
Jacquelyn Lujan as she dazzled in the circle, as she twirled the complete game shutout victory while striking out 13 batters.
Ariel Schulkump led the Simpson offense in game one with a two-for-three performance and one RBI.
Game 2:
The Red Hawks exploded in the first inning of the second game as
Kahiwa Ili blasted a three-run shot while Holen stroked a two-run double into right center.
Simpson extended their lead in the following inning as Illi nocthed her fourth RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly to center field.
The Yotes cut the lead in half in the following inning on a three-run home run by Madelyn Powell.
However, the Red Hawks answered back with two runs in the fourth inning as
Madison Chapman came through with an RBI base knock into right field.
The Yotes did not go quietly as Lena Zahniser clubbed a two-run home run in the fifth inning to make it a three-run ball game.
But the Red Hawks called on Lujan to nail down the six-out save as she fired two shutout innings while facing the minimum six batters to pick up the save in game two. She had a spectacular day in the circle as she tossed nine shutout innings while picking up a win and a save.
Chojnacki earned the win on the mound in game two as she tossed five innings, while giving up five runs and striking out three batters.
Lopez-Cortez and Illi led the Simpson offense with two-hit performances as Illi notched four RBI's.
Powell and Zahniser provided big swings for the Yotes as Isabella Fazzio, Kina Watts, and Marti Anderson each posted a two-hit game.
With the win, Simpson clinches the final playoff spot as they look to move up in the standings tomorrow. With a win, the Red Hawks could earn the #5 seed as they enter the CCC tournament next week.
First pitch of the double header is scheduled for 11 am with a non-league game to follow.
Be sure to stay up to date and follow us at @simpsonredhawks on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
