Simpson closes season in A-R-C semifinals

PELLA, Iowa -- In the American Rivers Conference semifinals, the sixth-seeded Simpson softball team came short of an upset bid and lost 3-1 to second-seeded Coe on Saturday.

Camrey Leo, the hero from Friday's contest, delivered once more for the Storm (21-19). Leo singled to plate Kayley Thomas in the second inning to grab an early 1-0 advantage.

The Kohawks (32-8) showed why they are dangerous and answered with a run in the bottom of the second to tie the game at 1-1. A Coe batter drilled a triple to center to plate a runner.

Simpson hung tight for the next three innings until the sixth, when the Kohawks scored two runs to capture a 3-1 lead. The Storm were unable to get a rally going in the seventh and ended their season.

The offense dispersed five hits across the diamond, with Sara Trent having the lone extra-base hit with a double.

Emily Schilke started the game for Simpson and went for five innings of work and allowed two runs in the losing effort. Randi Richmond followed in relief and allowed one run.

The Storm graduate three seniors, Ashley Allen, Arianna Kim and Kayla Reusche and return a lot of experience from this year's team after tying last year's win total with 21, which is a 13-game improvement from 2017.