INDIANOLA, Iowa (Apr. 3, 2024) - The Buena Vista University softball team traveled to Simpson College on Wednesday afternoon to begin its American Rivers Conference season, but the Beavers couldn't slow down the Storm and were handed a tough doubleheader sweep by scores of 8-1 and 11-1 (5 inn.).

Simpson got a 2-run single in the first inning and then took advantage of a BVU error in the third to break things open with a five-run inning and take 7-0 lead. Senior Amanda Franke got the Beavers on the board in the fifth with a solo home run - her first of the year - but the Storm got the run right back in the bottom half of the inning for the game's final score.

Jillian Garcia, Nattie Murillo, Danica Workman joined Franke with one hit apiece to give BVU four hits overall.

Kali Irlmeier (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) and five hits over two innings of work. Keristen Trayte allowed four runs (one earned) and eight hits over the final four innings.

Game two ended up being all Simpson (19-5, 2-0 A-R-C)) from the opening inning as the Storm tallied eight runs before adding two more in the second. Garcia drove home BVU's lone run of the game in the fifth for the final score.

Franke went 2-for-2 to lead the Beavers while Garcia and Maddie Elwood each added one.

Kennedi Claycomb (4-5) was charged with the loss after just 0.2 innings of work and being charged with eight runs.

Buena Vista dips to 7-17 overall (0-2 A-R-C) and plays at Wartburg College for a doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 6, starting at 1 p.m.