Storm Softball hosted Northeast Community College on Thursday, March 1, in the home opener for the Storm after playing the first eight games on the road.

Game one had Northeast take a 4-0 lead in the second inning with the Storm defense struggling.

Northeast then scored a single run in the third and fourth innings and two runs in the fifth with the Storm continuing to struggle on defense. 

Kim Whiting relieved Jess Lusk in the third inning, slowing down Northeast, and Bailey Rumery finished the last three innings with another strong performance.

The Storm was able to mount an offense in the fifth and six innings, scoring two runs in each inning, but base running mistakes cost the Storm in the comeback effort.

The game ended 8-4, Northeast. 

Game two had Jenny Eacker take the mound, and Jenny went to work continuing strong pitching the last two starts, and this game was no different.

Jenny scattered five hits, no walks and struck out two and did not allow a run in five innings.

Storm bats came alive in game two supporting Jenny’s strong performance.

Inning two had Jess Lusk lead off with her third home run of the season followed by Brooke Brestel hitting her fourth home run of the year.

Tayler Wendland walked, and Brooke Simonton made the most of her start by hitting her first home run of the year. 

Mariha Waters scored on a Jasmine Davis hit and error by the Northeast Center Fielder, and the score after two was Storm 5, Northeast 0.

The Storm managed a single run in the third, fourth when Kelsey Markey hit her first home run of the year and fifth to win in five innings, 8-0.

The Storm record emerged 2-8 as it prepared for Iowa Lakes to come to town on the following day in a 4:30/6:30 double header before traveling Saturday and Sunday to Concordia Kansas for the Cloud County Classic with three games Saturday and two Sunday before returning home Sunday night.