Storm fall to Central, face elimination Friday

DECORAH, Iowa – The Simpson softball team managed only two hits against Rhianna Fleetwood in a 2-0 loss to Central in the second round of the Iowa Conference Tournament on Thursday.

After a 13-1, 5-inning win over Buena Vista earlier in the day, the third-seeded Storm (28-14) face fifth-seeded Loras (20-17) in an elimination game Friday at Noon.

Fleetwood (14-2) retired 18 consecutive batters and Angela Davis drove in the winning run in the fourth for the second-seeded Dutch (32-7).

Chelsea Winegard and Carissa Coopman had the only hits for Simpson. Winegard singled with one out in the first and Coopman singled to lead off the second before being stranded.

Kacee Arey (25-14) yielded only three hits and struck out four, but Central took advantage of the few baserunners it got in the pitcher's duel.

Arey started the fourth inning by striking out Emily Te Brink before issuing a walk to Whitney Sowers. A double by Annie Sarcone put runners at the corners before a fielder's choice by Davis drove in the game's first run.

Jordan Overland made it 2-0 when she singled and scored on an error in the fifth.

Fans can follow the live video of Friday's elimination game at the IIAC Tournament Webpage.