Winona, Minnesota - The Tigers struggled to battle the Storm with a rocky start, lightning delays, and 45 mph winds making it difficult to track the ball's movement. 

As the designated visiting team, DePauw took to the plate first. Libby Minobe led off with a walk with Macey Cox advancing her to third. Katie Mathies flew out to center to bring in Minobe for the first run of the game. 

The Tigers struggled defensively to control pitches and throws, allowing two runs to cross the plate for the Storm in the bottom of the first. 

Both teams stayed vigilant allowing no runs until the bottom of the third when Simpson loaded the corners and launched a sacrifice fly into left field to bring in their third run of the game, leading 3-1. The Tigers made some smart choices on the bases to put two runners into scoring position but failed to drive them in with an infield pop up. 

In the top of the fifth, DePauw got some steam placing two on the bases and capitalizing on a throwing error to score their first run in four innings. Cox proceeded to slice a single up the middle, bringing home Hanna Coffel to tie up the game, 3-3. 

The game was suspended in the bottom of the fifth due to lightening within eight miles of the field. Teams sheltered in the locker rooms and were given the all clear to return to the field at 4:08 with a 4:45 start time. 

After an hour and half delay, the Tigers took to the field with Peyton Rohr taking over in the circle. The Storm took advantage of the unpredictable wind gusts, knocking balls to the outfield and letting the wind make fielding extra challenging. They drove in two runs, stole bases, advanced on wild pitches, and ended the inning with an impressive six runs. Ashlyn Steen launched a triple into the right field fence, bringing in three runs for Simpson. 

DePauw answered with two runs in the top of the sixth. Ella Kuenster battled in the box to walk after nine pitches. Alex Romero-Salas knocked a line drive up the right side. Paige Brady hit a grounder to third to advance the two runners. Riley Heim followed with a solid shot down the left field line to drive home Kuenster. Madi Lockridge hit a bullet at the shortstop to bring Romero-Salas home for the Tigers final run of the game. 

In the final inning, the Tigers held the Storm at 9-5 but struggled to gain footing with Simpson's energetic defense, including a clean double play. 

Macey Cox, Riley Heim, and Madi Lockridge excelled offensively for the Tigers, tallying two hits each. 

This is the first time DePauw has played Simpson since 2021, when they defeated them 5-4, thereby making their record against the Storm, 1-1. 

With their first loss of the tournament, the Tigers will return tomorrow to play Husson at 1:30 p.m. CT.