Storm softball clinches berth to NCAA Tournament
INDIANOLA, Iowa - For the first time since 2016, the Simpson softball team has earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament, traveling to Winona, Minn. to face DePauw in the first round on Thursday.
Entering the tournament with a 31-7 record overall, Simpson will travel to host school Saint Mary's for the NCAA Regional. Joining the Storm in the regional will be first round opponent DePauw from the North Coast Athletic Conference and Husson from the North Atlantic Conference. The bracket is a double-elimination set to begin on Thursday, with the Storm playing at 1:30 p.m.
Simpson finished the season as co-champions of the American Rivers Conference regular season title with an 11-5 record in A-R-C action. It marked the eighth time in school history the Storm claimed the regular season title.
The Storm are poised for a deep run in the tournament with one of the top offenses in the country along with a stout pitching staff.
Simpson's offense is led by first baseman Megan Heidelbauer, who enters the tournament with a .515/.573/1.053 slash line, 15 home runs, and 66 RBIs. Ashlyn Steen and Alexis Ehlers round out the top of the order that has proven to be one of the most lethal 1-2-3 in all of the country this season. The trio have produced a combined 28 home runs, 131 RBIs, 142 runs scored, and 73 extra-base hits.
Corner outfielders Mackenzie James and Katie Shaner help lengthen the Storm lineup. James features a .380/.434/.463 slash line with 30 RBIs in 38 games. Shaner adds in her .373/.454/.637 line with 19 extra-base hits and 24 RBIs.
Rounding out the infield is second baseman Kate Kriegel whose seven home runs are third on the team and third baseman Caelynn Obleton with 31 hits and 30 runs scored. Behind the dish, the Storm has split duties between sophomore Makayla Fowler and freshman Gracie Bruening.
Inside the circle, Emma LaFave has commanded the top spot in the rotation with an 11-2 record over 18 games with 80.2 innings pitched and a team-high 59 strikeouts. Kylee Tucker, Marina Cronin, and Alyssa Breckner have combined to create one of the top pitching staffs in the conference, sporting a team ERA of 2.52, second best in the league.
Simpson was one of four American Rivers Conference schools to hear its name called in the selection show. Joining the Storm in the tournament will be Central, Wartburg and Nebraska Wesleyan.
Live stats and video of the tournament will be available on simpsonathletics.com and ncaa.com.
