Simpson knocks off Springfield, edged by Rutgers Camden

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Simpson softball team played a pair of one-run contests Tuesday at the Rebel Spring Games, falling 3-2 against Rutgers Camden in the first game of the day and taking a 2-1 decision from Springfield in game two.

With the split, Simpson moves to 7-6 overall and 4-3 on the Spring Break trip.

Simpson and Springfield were locked in a defensive struggle in the second game of the day as the Pride held a 1-0 lead with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. With runners at first and second, Kelsie Host came through with a bases-clearing triple, giving Simpson a 2-1 lead. Brynn Johnson kept Springfield off the scoreboard in the seventh, fanning the final batter as Simpson earned the comeback victory.

Johnson picked up the win in the circle after coming on in relief of Kacee Arey. Allie Hock scored the winning run after singling in the sixth and led Simpson with a 3-for-3 effort at the plate.

In game one, Simpson built a 2-0 lead after 5 1/2 innings before Rutgers Camden plated three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Simpson couldn't come up with the equalizer in the seventh, stranding the tying run on third base.

Whitney Oviatt went the distance for the Storm, suffering the loss while striking out seven and allowing only four hits. Jessica Barkley and Kelsey Castensen each had two hits, with Barkley contributing a double.

Wednesday marks Simpson's final day of the trip. The Storm will face St. Norbert at noon and Wisconsin-River Falls at 2 p.m. CST.