Bell, Storm blank No. 18 Rhodes on opening day

CLERMONT, Fla. -- The Simpson softball team opened up its season on Friday by splitting the first two games of the team's spring break trip in Florida, by losing 8-0 to Concordia Moorhead in the opener and won 8-0 against No. 18 Rhodes.

The Storm (1-1) will play Fredonia tomorrow at 12:45 p.m. (CT) and Potsdam at 3 p.m. (CT) to close the afternoon.

Concordia Moorhead 8, Simpson 0 (five innings)
The Storm gave up three quick runs in the top of the first inning. A home run by the Cobbers put an exclamation point on the first inning, but came out strong in the second and put up five more runs to further the gap.

Mackenzie DePhillips garnered the team's first hit of the game in the second innings. Brianna Bowman tallied Simpson's other hit in the fifth inning. Arianna Kim took the loss inside the circle. DePhillips pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless relief and Lizzy Adams with one inning of one-hit ball.

Simpson 8, No. 18 Rhodes 0 (five innings)
Simpson rebounded in a big way and blanked the No. 18 team in the National Fast Pitch Coaches Division III Top-25 rankings.

The Storm rattled off five runs in the opening frame to grab a 5-0 lead. Bowman started the rally with a triple and Ashley Allen singled her in. Sara Trent followed that up with a two-run homer and Emily Bell repeated Trent with a solo shot. Georgia Porter later scored on a wild pitch.

In the third, Camrey Leo belted a double to plate three runners and advanced to third on the throw. The Storm would finish the contest with nine hits and five extra-base knocks.

Bell got the win by tossing four scoreless innings and allowed two hits. Kelli Hanson came in relief and gave up two hits.