Storm fall to Luther in IIAC Tournament

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Samantha Bratland and Courtney Cooper combined for a shutout, Ashley Burrows and Bailey Hocker homered and Luther beat the Simpson softball team 8-0 in six innings in the first round of the Iowa Conference Tournament on Friday afternoon at Clark Field.

Bailey Victoria had two hits and two RBIs for the third-seeded Norse (33-8), who advance to face second-seeded Central in the semifinal round.

Annie Stolte and Kelli Hanson had the only hits for the Storm (21-16), who saw their bounce-back season come to a close after a 13-game turnaround from 2017.

Bratland (19-4) held Simpson hitless in four innings of work, striking out four and walking three. Courtney Cooper closed out the final two innings.

Victoria hit a bloop single off Emily Bell in the first, scoring two to cap a three-run opening frame for Luther. Hocker made it 6-0 with a two-run homer in the third and Burrows brought the game to a close with one out in the sixth, hitting a two-run homer off Hanson.

Bell (12-6) allowed six runs -- five earned -- five hits and three walks with one strikeout in 2 2/3 innings. Hanson closed the game, allowing two runs, two hits and one walk with one strikeout in the final 2 2/3 innings.