Simpson Falls in Softball National Semifinals to Redlands

5/31/2026 8:35:00 PM

By: Simpson College Athletics Communications

SALEM, Va. - The historic 2026 season for Simpson softball came to a close in Salem as the Storm fell 6-3 to Redlands in the Women's College World Series semifinals.

Simpson wrapped up the season with 41 victories, the most since 2000, along with winning the A-R-C Tournament for the first time in program history. The Storm won the Indianola Regional before advancing to the Winona Super Regional where Simpson knocked off Saint Mary's in two games to punch its ticket to the Women's College World Series.

During the six-day trip in Salem, Simpson opened with a 4-3 comeback win over Mount Union and a dramatic 7-6 extra inning walk-off over Linfield to advance to the College World Series semifinals. The run marks the longest postseason run in Storm history since the 1999 National Championship team.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

  • Redlands broke open the scoring with a five-run fifth inning, highlighted by a two-RBI in the right center gap. The Bulldogs collected five hits in the inning, four of which were singles.
  • Simpson began chipping away at the lead in the third with two outs as Mackenzie James singled, followed by a Katie Shaner RBI double in the gap.
  • The Storm added another run in the fourth on another two-out hit as Ashlyn Steen doubled, scoring pinch runner Abigail Rouse, before being thrown out at third.
  • Shaner added to the damage in the fifth with a solo shot to right center, her sixth home run of the season to make it a two-run ballgame.
  • Redlands added an insurance run in the fifth which eventually proved to be the final run as Simpson fell 6-3.
  • Emma LaFave got the start for the Storm going 1.2 innings before Marina Cronin finished off the final 4.1 innings with four strikeouts.

GAME LEADERS

Katie Shaner - 2-for-3, 1 HR, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R
Mackenzie James - 1-for-3, 1 R
Marina Cronin - 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

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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.