Storm split on final day in Florida

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Simpson softball team saw its 10-game winning streak come to a close but responded with a run-rule win in the nightcap Friday at the Rebel Spring Games, losing to Rowan 5-0 before cruising to a 9-0 win over Marietta.

The Storm (17-4) couldn't muster a run against Rowan's Beth Ann Hyland in the opener but had plenty of offense in the nightcap, getting four RBIs from Abbie VanVleet. 

Simpson finished 12-2 in Florida, which included a 10-game winning streak. Simpson is off until Saturday, March 19 when it hosts Iowa Wesleyan in a doubleheader at Simpson Softball Complex.

Rowan 5, Simpson 0
Hyland held the Storm to four hits in the complete-game effort. Simpson put runners in scoring position in the first, second and fifth innings but couldn't dent the plate in just their second loss in Kissimmee.

Carly Anderson and Ashley DeYoung each drove in two runs for the Owls (4-4), who received votes in the latest NFCA Top 25 Poll. VanVleet suffered her first loss of the season, allowing 10 hits and three earned runs in the complete-game effort.

Simpson 9, Marietta 0 (5 innings)
VanVleet doubled in a run in the first and smacked a three-run homer in the fourth as Simpson's offense came back in a big way, pounding out 11 hits. 

Riley Fisher stayed perfect on the year with the four-hit shuout, fanning eight and walking one to improve to 8-0. 

Tori Haag went 2-for-3 with a double and Rachel Guessford had an RBI double as part of a five-run second that gave the Storm a 6-0 lead.