WINONA, Minn. - For the first time since the 1999 National Championship, Simpson Softball is returning to the biggest stage in college softball, reaching the Women's College World Series after knocking off Saint Mary's in the Super Regionals.
Simpson (39-6) jumped on Saint Mary's (40-9) with two runs in the first, and another five in the second to set the tone. SMU fought back, scoring four in the fourth, and managed to bring the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh. Simpson shut the door on the comeback with three quick outs to punch its ticket to softball's biggest stage with an 8-5 win.
The Storm travel to Salem, Virginia for the eight-team Women's College World Series starting Thursday, May 28 running through Wednesday, June 3.
Ashlyn Steen was recognized as the Super Regional Most Outstanding Player with Emma LaFave named the Most Outstanding Pitcher. Steen went 5-for-8 with four runs scored, one RBI, and one stolen base. LaFave collected the opening round win, pitching 8.2 innings, allowing seven runs while striking out two.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- Simpson once again quickly took control of the game, scoring two in the first inning. Lead-off hits from Ashlyn Steen, and Mackenzie James, along with an intentional walk to Megan Heidelbauer loaded the bases. Katie Shaner brought home the first RBI with a bloop single to center, followed by Addison Gookin's sac-fly scoring Heidelbauer.
- The Storm erupted for a five-run second inning to break the game wide-open. James drove in the first run with a bases-loaded sac-fly to center before Shaner drove in a pair with her soft single to right. Gookin put the exclamation point on the inning with a two-run blast to center, her second of the supers, to put Simpson up 7-0.
- After three shutout innings, Saint Mary's managed to get on the board in the fourth with a bases-loaded one-out double down the right field line. The Cardinals added to the inning on a sac-fly and an RBI single up the middle to make it a 7-4 ballgame after four.
- Brielyn Ginnaty added to the lead with an insurance solo shot to left center to stretch the Storm lead to four.
- Saint Mary's managed to score one more in the bottom of the seventh and bring the tying run to the plate with nobody out. Marina Cronin, who came into the game in the fourth, shut down the rally with a fielder's choice, strikeout, and finally a groundout to first.
GAME LEADERS
Ashlyn Steen - 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 SB
Katie Shaner - 2-for-4, 1 R, 3 RBI
Addison Gookin - 1-for-3, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R
Brielyn Ginnaty - 2-for-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI
UP NEXT
Simpson heads to the WCWS starting Thursday, May 28 in Salem, Virginia.
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About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
The A-R-C is home to nine full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. Luther College has announced its departure from the conference, effective at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
