Storm split with Olivet, North Park

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The Simpson softball team rode a complete-game, four-hit effort from Emily Bell in game one but couldn't complete the comeback in game two in a doubleheader split at the North Park Invitational on Saturday. Simpson beat Olivet 2-0 in the opener and fell to North Park 6-5 in game two.

The Storm (12-4) close play at the North Park Invitational on Saturday when they face North Park and Olivet again. The North Park game is set to begin at 11 a.m. with the Olivet game to follow.

Game One: Simpson 2, Olivet 0
Ashley Allen's sacrifice fly in the first inning was enough support for Emily Bell as the freshman tossed a complete-game, four-hitter in the win.

At the Plate
• Ashley Allen went 2-for-3 with an RBI, driving in the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the first.
• Alicia Perrien went 2-for-2.
• Kasiah Ehresman scored both Simpson runs, going 2-for-4 .
• Kaleigh Snyder went 1-for-4, driving in an insurance run in the top of the seventh on an infield single.

In the Circle
• Emily Bell improved to 6-1 in the circle with the complete-game effort. She allowed just four hits, striking out eight and walking three in the win.

Game Two: North Park 6, Simpson 5
Simpson got on the board with three runs in the top of the first but North Park responded with five in the home half and one in the second to to take a 6-3 lead. Kelli Hanson kept the Vikings off the board and the Storm pulled within a run but couldn't complete the comeback.

At the Plate
• Taylor Davis went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.
• Kasiah Ehresman went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Her infield single drove in Simpson's fifth-run, making the score 6-5 North Park in the fourth.

In the Circle
• Kelli Hanson was stellar in relief, shutting out North Park in the final 4 2/3 innings. She allowed just two hits and one walk, striking out two.
• Arianna Kim suffered the loss, allowing six runs -- all earned -- off eight hits in 1 1/3 innings.