Storm's NCAA run comes to an end against IWU

INDIANOLA, Iowa - One inning stood between Simpson and a re-match with St. Thomas.

Second-seeded Illinois Wesleyan scored the only runs of the game in the fifth inning, eliminating third-seeded Simpson with a 2-0 win at the Indianola Regional of the 2010 NCAA Division III Softball Championship from Simpson Softball Complex on Saturday evening.

An RBI single by pitcher Christy Engel gave the Titans (33-15) a 1-0 lead before she came around to score an insurance run on an RBI groundout by Alyssa Vorel.

Illinois Wesleyan advances to face sixth-seeded St. Thomas in an elimination game at 11 a.m. Sunday morning. The winner earns the right to face top-seeded Linfield at 1 p.m., needing two wins to knock out the undefeated Wildcats.

The Storm (33-12) saw their 14th trip to the NCAA Championship in program history come to a close. Simpson captured the program's seventh Iowa Conference Championship and first since 2000.

Iowa Conference Pitcher of the Year, Whitney Oviatt (Carnation, Wash./Cedarcrest) went the distance for second game in a row, allowing six hits and two runs. A senior, Oviatt (24-7) threw 24 of Simpson's 25 innings in the tournament, carrying a 1.17 ERA while going 2-2.

Simpson's offense mustered only four hits against Engel (14-10), who struck out four in 5 1/3 innings. Lauren James entered the game in the sixth, holding the Storm hitless in earning her fifth save of the season.

Trailing by two with one out in the sixth inning, Simpson loaded the bases on two walks and a single from Kelsie Host (Altoona, Iowa/Southeast Polk). But James came on to end the threat, fanning the final two batters after issuing a walk to the first batter she faced.

Allie Hock (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence Free State) led Simpson with two hits on the night.