Rasmusson deals two-hitter in doubleheader split

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Madison Rasmusson tossed a two-hitter and the offense tied a season-high with 11 hits as the Simpson softball team beat St. Joseph's (L.I.) 5-0 to earn a split Wednesday at the Rebel Spring Games. Simpson fell to Rhodes 3-1 in the opener.

After starting the season 1-8, the Storm (3-9) have won two of their last three with solid pitching and good defense. Rasmusson and Maggie Long have a combined 1.71 ERA over the last three games and Simpson has committed just one error. 

Pacing Simpson at the plate has been junior transfer Kaleigh Snyder, who is hitting .400 on the season. The speedy centerfielder already has 11 stolen bases on the year, the most by a Simpson player since 2005. The school record for stolen bases is 36, set by Kim Griffin in 1997.

Rhodes 3, Simpson 1
Brianna Chaplin's solo home run in the second inning was all the offense Simpson could muster against the Lynx, who won their seventh game in a row. Chaplin had two of Simpson's four hits as the Storm spoiled a solid outing by Long, who allowed just two earned runs off six hits.

Simpson 5, St. Joseph's 0
Snyder went 4-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases and Rasmusson faced just two batters over the minimum, striking out five without issuing a walk. Kelsie Tomlin's pinch-hit double scored Snyder to give Simpson a 2-0 lead in the fifth and Jordan Williamson added an RBI single one batter late, which was more than enough breathing room for Rasmusson. The sophomore transfer didn't allow a runner past first base throughout the contest.

Up Next
Simpson plays Widener (8 a.m. CT) and Lakeland (12:30 p.m. CT) on Thursday.