Rasmusson headlines four All-IIAC picks
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Simpson outfielder Madison Rasmusson earned first team honors to highlight Simpson's four selections to the 2018 All-Iowa Conference Softball Team, as voted on by the league's nine head coaches.
Pitcher Emily Bell earned second team honors while catcher Ashley Allen and designated player Kasiah Ehresman were honorable mention picks.
The Storm enjoyed a 13-game turnaround in 2018, going 21-16 and qualifying for the conference tournament after missing out in 2017. Second-year head coach Brent Matthias' team picked up a signature win with a 1-0 upset of 12th-ranked Luther on April 28 to clinch a berth in the postseason.
Madison Rasmusson, First Team
A junior outfielder from Marshalltown, Iowa, Rasmusson makes her second appearance on an all-conference team after earning second team honors as a utility player in 2017. The slap-hitter led the Storm with a .427 batting average to go along with five doubles, one triple, one home run and 23 RBIs. She led the team with 13 stolen bases in 14 attempts and enjoyed a 15-game hitting streak during the season. Rasmusson posted the 10th-highest batting average in school history, good for sixth in the league.
Emily Bell, Second Team
A freshman pitcher from Aurora, Colo., Bell enjoyed an outstanding rookie season. The right-hander went 12-6 with a 2.35 ERA, striking out 105 batters and walking just 41. She went 5-3 with a 2.00 ERA in the always-tough Iowa Conference, picking up a signature win with a complete-game shutout against 12th-ranked Luther to send the Storm into the IIAC Tournament. The two-time IIAC Pitcher of the Week began her career with a no-hitter against Houghton on March 3 and is just the fourth freshman to record 100-plus strikeouts in school history.
Ashley Allen, Honorable Mention
A junior catcher from Laurel, Iowa, Allen makes her second appearance on an all-conference team after earning second team honors in 2017. The hard-hitting right-hander tied a school record with an IIAC-leading 18 doubles on the season, including seven in league play. She hit .393 on the season with one home run and 30 RBIs, second-most on the team.
Kasiah Ehresman, Honorable Mention
A sophomore designated player from Sully, Iowa, Ehresman made an immediate impact in her first season at Simpson after transferring from Coe. The slapper finished second on the team with a .415 batting average, driving in seven runs and stealing 12 bases. She earned IIAC Female Athlete of the Week on March 25.
