Bell tosses no-hitter, offense erupts in season-opening sweep

CLERMONT, Fla. -- In 2017, it took the Simpson softball team 13 games to score 33 runs.

In 2018, all it took was two.

Freshman hurler Emily Bell tossed a no-hitter in the opener and the Simpson offense amassed 33 runs off 39 hits en route to a pair of run-rule wins on opening day. The Storm beat Houghton 19-0 to start the day then topped Johnson State 14-0 in the nightcap.

The Last Time
Bell's no-hitter is Simpson's first since Kacee Arey did it against Catholic at the Rebel Spring Games on March 7, 2012. The 19 runs of support she got were the most for a Storm team since 2016 and the fifth-highest total in school history.

Simpson 19, Houghton 0 (5 innings)
Bell struck out nine and walked two in her collegiate debut, getting a big boost from a 13-run second inning by the Storm. Ashley Allen crushed a three-run homer in the inning and Madi Bennett drove in two on a triple. Taylor Davis and Madison Rasmusson each went 3-for-3 at the plate.

Simpson 14, Johnston State 0 (5 innings)
Originally scheduled to play Bridgewater State, altered travel plans led to a change in schedule. Davis led the way with another three-hit game, finishing with a double, triple and three RBIs. Rasmusson drove in three runs, bringing in two on a triple in the second that made it 8-0. Arianna Kim went four innings without allowing a run and Emily Schilke struck out one in a perfect fifth inning.

Up Next
The Storm continue the PFX Spring Games Sunday when they face Pitt.-Greensburg (2 p.m. ET) and Mitchell (7 p.m. ET). Todd Guessford will have the call for audio stream of both games on SimpsonAthletics.com.