The Simpson Storm softball team went undefeated during its week-long spring break trip to the Rebel Classic in Kissimmee, Fla.

Simpson has been participating in this tournament for the past 15 years and this is the fifth year the team has gone undefeated.

“I felt the team as a whole was ready to play,” said Head Coach Henry Christowski.

During the first two games of the week, the Storm beat Bluffton 7-0 and Bridgewater State 8-0.

“The intensity we demonstrated in the first part of the week was tremendous,” said Christowski.

Overall, Christowski was pleased with the execution of the things that the team had worked in the gym during the pre-season.

The Storm pitching was the biggest strength throughout the tournament. Five different pitchers contributed on the mound.

The pitching of senior Amy Kulisky and junior Lyndsay Owen helped the Storm overcome a lack of offensive execution on the final day. Christowski gives due credit to his pitching staff that has a cumulative ERA of less than one.

The Storm offensive did not lack for the whole tournament. The team hit around .350 and recorded four home runs, five triples and 19 doubles.

It wasn’t all work for the simpson softball team. The women did get a chance to enjoy the Florida weather with a trip to Cocoa Beach toward the end of the trip.

“I’ve never been on a team where everyone gets along as well as we do, so it made it a lot of fun,” said Kulisky.

Many of the team’s family made the trip down to Florida to cheer on the Storm. There was a lot of support in the stands watching the team play its undefeated tournament.

The team is looking forward to a very successful 2003 season.

“With the way we have been playing, there is no reason why we shouldn’t win the conference this year,” said Kulisky.

“Our 12-0 start is a good one but we need to maintain our intensity and focus on the games ahead of us,” said Christowski.

The women open up play at home this weekend with the annual Simpson Classic. On Saturday, the team faces Viterbo at 11:30 a.m. and Lakeland at 1:30 p.m. On Sunday the Storm will see Gustavus Adolphus at 11:30 a.m. and Monmouth at 3:30 p.m.

Iowa Conference play begins April 4 at Wartburg.