Storm ride strong pitching to sweep in Windy City

CHICAGO -- The Simpson softball team got complete-game efforts in the circle from freshmen Emily Bell and Mary Leopold on Sunday, closing the weekend with a sweep at the North Park Invitational. The Storm beat North Park 9-0 in five innings in the opener before edging Olivet 3-1 in the nightcap.

Game One: Simpson 9, North Park 0 (5)
Bell threw a complete-game two-hitter to help Simpson avenge Saturday's one-run loss to the Vikings. Madison Rasmusson drove in three runs and the Storm used a five-run fourth inning to pull away. North Park committed four errors and only managed to send one runner past first in the run-ruled contest.

Key Moments
T2 | Madi Bennett drove in the first run of the game on a single that scored Rasmusson. Rasmusson led off the inning with a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. SIM 1, NP 0

T3 | The Storm plated three runs, getting consecutive singles from Ashley Allen, Taylor Davis and Rasmusson. North Park committed two errors that resulted in two runs during the frame. SIM 4, NP 0

T4 | Simpson put the game out of reach with five runs off five hits in the fourth. Rasmusson drove in two runs on a double to left-center while Megan Crockett and Kayla Reusche also plated RBIs. Kasiah Ehresman scored the first run of the inning on a wild pitch. SIM 9, NP 0

Top Offensive Performances
Madison Rasmusson | 2-2, 2B, 3 RBIs, 3 R, 1 BB
Madi Bennett | 2-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Kasiah Ehresman | 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB

Pitching Breakdown
Emily Bell | W (7-1), 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 Ks

Game Two: Simpson 3, Olivet 1
Leopold threw a complete-game gem and the Storm made two early runs hold up in the win. Leopold tossed her first career complete-game, scattering seven hits and allowing just one run. The Storm scored a run on an error and Allen drove in another in the first to give Leopold more than enough breathing room.

Key Moments
B1 | Ehresman led off the inning with an infield single before stealing second. She scored when Annie Stolte reached on error. Allen drove in the second run of the inning on a single to left, bringing in Stolte for the early 2-0 lead. SIM 2, OLI 0

T2 | Taylor Shellenberger drove in the only run of the game for the Comets on a double to right center. Leopold got out of the jam by coaxing two groundouts and a popup. SIM 2, OLI 1

T3 | Courtney Willson led off the inning with a single but was caught stealing. Olivet eventually stranded a runner on second when Konnor Geiger grounded out to third to end the inning. SIM 2, OLI 1

B4 | Rasmusson singled to lead off the inning then moved to second on a sacrifice bunty by Crockett. Madi Bennett drove in Rasmusson on a single to left. SIM 3, OLI 1

Top Offensive Performances
Ashley Allen | 1-3, 1 RBI
Madi Bennett | 1-3, 1 RBI
Madison Rasmusson | 1-2, 1 R, 1 BB
Megan Crockett | 1-2

Pitching Breakdown
Mary Leopold | W (1-1), 7.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Coach Speak
"Our pitching and defense led the way today, giving up one run without committing an error. Positive things happen when you have great pitching and defense."

"We are finding out that we are deep in several areas both on offense and defense and everyone is pushing each other to be their best." -- head coach Brent Matthias

Up Next
Simpson travels to Grinnell for a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday, March 27. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.