Storm run-rule Dubuque in IIAC first round

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Hillary Harmon drove in three runs and Abbie Van Vleet threw six strong innings as the Simpson softball team cruised to an 8-0, six-inning win against Dubuque in the first round of the Iowa Conference Tournament on Friday morning.

The fourth-seeded Storm (26-13) advance to play top-seeded Coe at approximately 2 p.m. Friday.

Harmon drove in two runs on a single in the first and brought in a run in the sixth on a bunt single. She eventually came around to score the final run on a passed ball, as Simpson scored three times in the sixth to run-rule the Spartans (21-14).

Van Vleet (18-2) allowed just three hits and struck out four, keeping Dubuque off-balance the entire game.

Stacie Brown and Kylie Van Houten finished with three hits apiece and Tori Haag doubled in the sixth, the only extra-base hit for either team.

Amanda Williams (9-8) pitched 2 2/3 in the loss as Dubuque went with three different pitchers on the day.