Storm look to carry last year's momentum into new season
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Simpson College baseball program enters the new season with momentum after reestablishing itself in the American Rivers Conference postseason picture a year ago.
Led by four returning all-conference performers, Simpson brings back a core group of contributors as it looks to build on last spring's progress in conference play. Senior Nate Cagley, junior Trenten Kingrey, and sophomore Jacob Roberts headline the returners after each earned All-A-R-C recognition in 2025. Senior Drew Carlson adds additional experience after earning honorable mention all-conference honors in 2024.
Cagley, a second team All-A-R-C selection, ranked among the league's most consistent hitters a season ago, while Kingrey emerged as the Storm's top power threat and Roberts made an immediate impact as a freshman. Carlson added both offensive and defensive stability, anchoring the middle infield and providing depth on the mound with five relief appearances last season.
While Simpson must replace all-region pitchers Trey Castile and Dante Dolash from last year's staff, the Storm return valuable experience on the mound in senior Easton Dunwoody, junior Charley Mershon, and senior Dylan Schlee. The quartet combined for nearly 100 strikeouts as Simpson finished top-3 in the league in total strikeouts for the fourth season in a row.
"The 2026 campaign looks to be an exciting challenge for our group," said head coach Nathan Roling. "I've liked the work that we've put in so far and am eager to see this team compete in the always strong A-R-C."
The Storm begin the 2026 season with six consecutive home games. Simpson hosts Wis.-Eau Claire for a three-game series Feb. 28 and March 1 followed by Saint John's (Minn.) on March 7-8.
LAST YEAR IN REVIEW
- The Storm finished the 2025 season with a 17-23 overall record and 11-13 mark in conference play.
- Simpson returned to the A-R-C Tournament for the first time since 2021, earning the program's highest tournament seeding in over a decade with a fifth-place finish.
- The Storm produced five All-A-R-C honorees, including two first team selections in Trey Castile and Dante Dolash and returners Nate Cagley, Trenten Kingrey and Jacob Roberts.
- Dolash was additionally recognized on the D3baseball.com All-Region 9 Third Team as a key arm out of the Storm bullpen.
- Simpson earned conference series wins against Luther, Loras, Central, and Dubuque.
KEY OFFENSIVE RETURNERS (2025 STATS)
- Nate Cagley (.326, 44 hits, 9 XBH, 13 runs, 34 RBI)
- Trenten Kingrey (.286, 36 hits, 20 XBH, 23 runs, 28 RBI)
- Jacob Roberts (.293, 24 hits, 10 XBH, 26 runs, 17 RBI, 8 stolen bases)
- Drew Carlson (.245, 36 hits, 12 XBH, 30 runs, 23 RBI)
KEY PITCHERS RETURNING (2025 STATS)
- Easton Dunwoody (7.87 ERA, 42.1 IP, 39 strikeouts)
- Charley Mershon (2.45 ERA, 22.0 IP, 24 strikeouts)
- Dylan Schlee (3.24 ERA, 16.2 IP, 17 strikeouts)
- Jack Shaffer (6.38 ERA, 18.1 IP, 17 strikeouts)
2026 AMERICAN RIVERS CONFERENCE BASEBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. Coe (28-13, 17-7 A-R-C) - 64 points
2. Buena Vista (32-11, 18-6 A-R-C) - 57 points
3. Wartburg (21-19, 12-12 A-R-C) - 41 points
4. Luther (20-22, 13-11 A-R-C) - 38 points
5. Nebraska Wesleyan (25-21, 10-14 A-R-C) - 33 points
6. Loras (19-21, 9-15 A-R-C) - 30 points
7. Central (17-21, 8-16 A-R-C) - 23 points
8. Dubuque (19-20, 10-14 A-R-C) - 20 points
9. Simpson (17-23, 11-13 A-R-C) - 18 points
