Arnold, Leonard sweep weekly conference awards

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- After leading Simpson to its first no-hitter in nearly a decade last week, Brady Leonard was tabbed as the American Rivers Conference Pitcher of the Week, while teammate Kolton Arnold was honored as the Position Player of the Week for his efforts at the plate, the league announced on Monday.

Leonard delivered five shutout innings for the Storm (1-1) to produce the team's first no-hitter since March 27, 2011. Leonard allowed only two batters to reach during the first four innings to grab the team's first win of the year. At the plate, Arnold had five hits in eight at bats for a .625 batting average. Arnold legged out a triple and scored two runs.

Simpson dropped a 9-6 decision to Bethel in the season opener, but responded with the 2-0 victory against the Royals to even its 2020 record.

The Storm return back to the diamond on Saturday to start a four-game set at Westminster. The doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. in Fulton, Mo.

To view the American Rivers Conference Athletes of the Week release, click here.

Kolton Arnold | Position Player of the Week
• Junior from Norwalk, Iowa
• Connected on five hits in eight at bats for a .625 batting average, went 3-for-4 in the first contest
• Belted a triple and scored two runs for the week
• Swiped two bases to double last year's total
• Had 17 putouts and three assists in 20 chances at first base
• First A-R-C Player of the Week award

Brady Leonard | Pitcher of the Week
• Sophomore from Waverly, Iowa
• Tossed five innings of no-hit baseball, with four strikeouts and three walks to give the Storm their first win of the season
• Teamed up with Zach Hollingsworth to record Simpson's first no-hitter since March 27, 2011
• The victory matches his win total from last season
• First A-R-C Pitcher of the Week honor