Softball ranked No. 18/22 in latest national polls

INDIANOLA, Iowa - After sweeping Central to begin the week and improving to 25-3 on the season, the Simpson softball team was ranked 18th in the NCAA NPI poll and 22nd in the NFCA Coaches poll on Tuesday.

New this season, the NPI is a computer model used to determine seeding and at-large bids to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship tournament. The tournament will include 62 teams including 41 automatic Pool A bids, one Pool B bid and 20 at-large Pool C bids. At-large selections will be awarded to the 20 highest ranked teams, according to the NPI, remaining following the Pool A and B selections.

In the NPI poll, the Storm sit 18th overall, and second in the region, trailing only Saint Mary's (Minn.), who holds the 11th overall spot.

Simpson sits at 25-3 on the season, including 6-2 record in A-R-C action after knocking off 19/21 Central in dominating fashion. The Storm clubbed nine home runs on the day to beat Central 11-3 and 18-3. The 18-runs marked the most for the Storm against Central since 1975 when Simpson scored 17-runs.

The Storm feature the top offense in the A-R-C, leading the league in batting average (.366), home runs (40), and RBIs (211). Along with a standout offense, the pitching staff boasts the second best ERA in the conference at 2.32, and third best WHIP at 1.33.

Simpson is led by first baseman Megan Heidelbauer, who broke the school record for most RBIs in a single season, set by Maddie Luderman in 2023 with 45. Heidelbauer ranks first in the conference in batting average at .543 and leads the country in RBIs with 50 and is second in home runs at 13. Ashlyn Steen (.457/.528/.713) and Alexis Ehlers (.333/.437.643) have combined for 11 home runs, and 49 RBIs, and 29 stolen bases at the top of the order.

Inside the circle, the Storm rely on four pitchers in Kylee Tucker, Alyssa Breckner, Marina Cronin, and Emma LaFave. Tucker leads the team with 1.72 ERA while LaFave has tossed the most innings at 47.2, and strikeouts at 40. The quartet have combined for a 22-3 record and 11 complete games.

Simpson continues the homestand on Wednesday, hosting Loras for a doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.