Storm softball falls to Central in A-R-C Tournament

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The run for an A-R-C tournament title for the Simpson Storm fell short in an extra-inning duel against Central on Saturday afternoon.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Central took the first lead of the ballgame, capitalizing on a Storm miscue and an RBI single up the middle to take a 1-0 edge.
• The Dutch added to the lead in the second inning scoring two runs on an RBI single to third, and an RBI groundout.
• Simpson got the board in the bottom of the second when a bases-loaded walk to Kriegel scored pinch runner Fisk. The Storm added to the inning after a fielder's choice by Steen plated pinch runner Bauer to cut the lead to 3-2.
• Both sides went quiet offensively until the bottom of the seventh with the Storm trailing by one. Simpson began the inning with a single to center from James. After a sac bunt by Shaner moved James into scoring position, and a fly out, the Storm were down to the final out.
• The Storm turned to Walls off the bench in the big moment, and the junior delivered with a game-tying RBI single to left center to force extra innings.
• Simpson nearly clinched a berth to the championship in the eighth after a lead-off walk and bunt single. But the rally came up short with two foul outs and a flyout.
• Central grabbed the lead in the ninth on a one-out single down the line to go up one, which proved to be the game-winning run after the Storm failed to score in the bottom half of the inning.

GAME LEADERS

Emma LaFave - 8 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 K
Caelynn Obleton - 3-for-5, 3 1B
Savana Walls - 1-for-1, 1 RBI, 1 1B

UP NEXT
Simpson will wait until Monday, May 12 to hear where the Storm will be playing in the NCAA Tournament. Selection show is set to begin at 10 a.m. on ncaa.com.