LaFave pitches a shutout, Storm set single season home run record in pair of victories

DECORAH, Iowa - Emma LaFave proved to be nearly unhittable in the opener, leading Simpson to a 2-0 win before the bats came alive in the second game for a 9-3 win and single season home run school record on Tuesday afternoon.

The opening home run by Megan Heidelbauer tied and Brielyn Ginnaty's solo blast in the second broke the school record for most home runs by a Simpson team in a single season. The Storm collected three home runs on the day to finish with 45, breaking the record set by the 2015 squad with 43.

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS

• The opening game was decided by a single swing in the top of the seventh, with the score gridlocked at 0-0. With Rowan Fisk on base, Caelynn Obleton drove the ball deep in the outfield, getting down as the third baseman drove in the eventual game-winning run with a triple. On the same play, a throwing error by Luther allowed Obleton to score to give the Storm one more insurance run.
• But one run was all that was needed for Emma LaFave and the Storm defense. The junior pitcher mowed down the Norse lineup, limiting Luther to just two hits and five baserunners total.
• LaFave sat the Norse down in order three times, and didn't allow a single runner past second all afternoon.
• LaFave worked out of four jams with a runner on second to claim the complete-game shutout.

GAME ONE LEADERS

Emma LaFave - 7 IP, CGSO, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Caelynn Obleton - 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 SB
Alexis Ehlers - 1-for-2, 1 BB, 1 SB

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS

• The combo of Ashlyn Steen and Megan Heidelbauer struck again, this time being a leadoff double by Steen followed by Heidelbauer's 15th home run of the season to make it a 2-0 ballgame.
• Luther added its first of three runs in the bottom of the first to cut the lead in half.
• Solo shots from Brielyn Ginnaty and Alexis Ehlers in the second and third innings expanded the lead to 4-1.
• Simpson continued to pile on with another three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to break open the game and secure the 9-3 result.
• Steen, Heidelbauer, and Ehlers continued to plague Luther, as the three contributed in scoring or driving in eight of the nine runs in the ballgame.
• Kylee Tucker got the start for the Storm, going five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits before Alyssa Breckner was called on for the final shutout innings.

GAME TWO LEADERS

Ashlyn Steen - 3-for-3, 2 2B, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Megan Heidelbauer - 3-for-4, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
Alexis Ehlers - 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 2B
Alyssa Breckner - 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R

UP NEXT
Simpson returns home for one final time in the 2025 regular season, hosting Coe on Saturday, April 26 for senior day. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.