Storm rumble past DePauw in NCAA opening matchup

WINONA, Minn. - Fighting through the weather conditions, the Storm lit up the scoreboard with a six-run fifth to roll past DePauw 9-5 in the opening round of the NCAA Regional.

Simpson (32-7) only needed nine hits on the day to deal all the damage needed to advance in the opening round of the NCAA Regional. The trio of Ashlyn Steen, Megan Heidelbauer, and Mackenzie James combined for six of the Storm's hits along with four RBIs and four runs scored.

With the win, Simpson is set to face top-seed Saint Mary's, who defeated Husson in its first round matchup, tomorrow at 11 a.m.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• DePauw (24-14) took the first lead of the game using small ball with a walk, stolen base, sac bunt, and sac fly to take a 1-0 edge in the top of the first.
• The Storm answered right back in the bottom half of the frame starting with singles from Steen and Heidelbauer. Back-to-back wild pitches from DePauw allowed the pair to score to put Simpson on top 2-1.
• Heidelbauer led off the third with a single to left and a James single put runners on the corner with one out. Shaner took advantage of the situation, driving in Heidelbauer on a sac-fly to extend the Storm lead to 3-1 after three.
• The Tigers were held in check until the fifth inning where DePauw used three singles and an error to tie up the game at 3-3,
• In the bottom half of the fifth, Simpson led off the inning with a Heidelbauer walk, followed by an RBI double from Ehlers to put Simpson back on top 4-3.
• After Ehlers' double, the game was suspended due to weather for nearly two hours. Following the delay, the Storm picked up right where they left off, scoring a run on an RBI single from James to make it 5-3.
• The Storm opened the floodgates in the fifth, capping off the six-run inning with a bases-clearing triple from Steen to extend the lead to 9-3.
• Simpson slammed shut the comeback attempt and secured the 9-5 win to advance to a matchup with host school Saint Mary's tomorrow.

LEADERS

Ashlyn Steen - 2-for-4, 3 RBI, 1 3B, 1 R, 1 SB
Megan Heidelbauer - 2-for-3, 3 R, 1 BB
Mackenzie James - 2-for-3, 1 RBI
Emma LaFave - 7 IP, CG, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 K

UP NEXT

Simpson advances to face top-seed and host of the NCAA Regional, Saint Mary's, on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.