Heidelbauer's 10 RBI day leads 13th-ranked Simpson to sweep over Cornell

INDIANOLA, Iowa - From a walk-off win to a five-run comeback, 13th-ranked Simpson softball swept both ends of a doubleheader against Cornell in the first home games of the season.

In the opener, Simpson (17-2) wasted no time putting pressure on Cornell (9-5), opening up a 13-run lead and ending the game with a walk-off hit from Megan Heidelbauer. Cornell led 5-0 heading into the fifth in the second game when the Storm bats woke up with three runs in the fifth and put the game to bed with a seven-run sixth inning.

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS

• First inning RBIs from Heidelbauer on a double down the left field line, followed by an RBI single to right by Katie Shaner put Simpson up 2-0.
• Cornell scored once in the second but the Storm responded back in force. In the bottom of the frame, Simpson plated seven runs, highlighted by a grand slam from Heidelbauer.
• RBI hits from Brielyn Ginnaty, Addison Gookin, and Caelynn Obleton finished off the second inning with Simpson leading 9-1.
• The Storm added another three runs in the third on an error for Cornell, and a two RBI double by Ginnaty.
• Cornell extended the game with four runs in the fifth, allowing Heidelbauer to walk-off the game with a double in the gap, scoring Steen and giving Simpson a 13-5 win.
• Emma LaFave picked up her seventh win of the season, going four innings, allowing one run and striking out four. Sierra Franklin pitched the final frame out of the pen.

GAME ONE LEADERS

Ashlyn Steen - 2-for-3, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 2B
Megan Heidelbauer - 3-for-4, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R, 2 2B
Brielyn Ginnaty - 2-for-3, 3 RBI, 1 R, 2 2B
Emma LaFave - 4 IP, W, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS

• After an electric opener, the Simpson bats went quiet for the first four innings of the second game. The Storm stranded five runners in scoring position over the four innings.
• Cornell took advantage of the slow start, scoring three runs in the third and two more in the fifth to jump out to a 5-0 lead.
• Heidelbauer once again jumpstarted the offense, this time with a two RBI double in the gap, scoring Steen and Brynn Ortlund in the fifth.
• Later in the frame, Shaner singled to the pitcher, scoring Heidelbauer and cutting the Rams' lead down to 5-3.
• Ortlund got the scoring going in the sixth with her two RBI single up the middle. Heidelbauer added another two RBIs on another double, bringing her total RBIs on the day to 11, and putting SImpson on top 7-5.
• James added an insurance run on a double before Obleton put the Storm up five with a single to center.
• Alyssa Breckner pitched the final two innings out of the bullpen, securing the win and sweep for the Storm.

GAME TWO LEADERS

Megan Heidelbauer - 2-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 2B
Mackenzie James - 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 2 2B
Caelynn Obleton - 3-for-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 SB
Brynn Ortlund - 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 SB

UP NEXT
The Storm hit the road for their first A-R-C action of 2026, taking on Wartburg on Wednesday, April 1 with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 p.m.