Storm suffer first loss, recover with shutout win

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The 18th-ranked Simpson softball team suffered its first loss of the season Thursday, losing to sixth-ranked Illinois Wesleyan 7-3 before shutting out Beloit 3-0 at the Rebel Spring Games.

The Storm (17-1) led 3-2 after the first against the Titans but surrendered two in the second and two more in the fifth. Tori Haag homered and Abbie VanVleet struck out five in the win over Beloit.

Simpson's 16-game winning streak came to a close against Illinois Wesleyan, the second-best streak to start a season in school history.

#6 Illinois Wesleyan 7, #18 Simpson 3
Simpson took advantage of a Titan error to plate three in the bottom of the first on a two-RBI single by Rachel Guessford and a run-scoring double off the bat of Ashley Prettyman. Illinois Wesleyan got back-to-back hits to re-take the lead in the second and added two more in the fifth to put the game out of reach. Haag went 2-for-4 and Riley Fisher (7-1) suffered her first loss in the circle, allowing 11 hits and seven runs – six earned – in the complete-game effort.

#18 Simpson 3, Beloit 0
Simpson wasted little time returning to its winning ways behind a complete-game, two-hitter tossed by VanVleet. Pinch runner Annie Stolte scored the game's first run on a passed ball in the fourth and Britney Steele drove in a run on a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead. Haag homered to left in the seventh for good measure, giving her six long balls on the season. VanVleet (8-0) didn't issue a walk and allowed just one runner past second base.

Up Next
Simpson closes play at the Rebel Spring Games on Friday against 2014 NCAA Regional Qualifiers, Farmingdale State and No. 21 Rowan.