Simpson checks in at No. 7 in regional rankings

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson College softball team was ranked seventh in the NCAA Region IX Rankings, as released on Wednesday.

The Storm come in with a record of 24-12 and a mark of 7-7 in conference play. That record includes 10 games against seven opponents who have also received a regional ranking this week.

Simpson is one of four teams from the American Rivers Conference represented in the Region IX Rankings, alongside Central, Coe, and Wartburg. The Storm have two games left in the regular season, a home doubleheader against Luther, which could prove critical in determining the seeding of the conference tournament later this month.

"We are excited to be regionally ranked even after not playing any games for the last two weeks," said Storm head coach Brent Matthias. "Playing 10 games against current regionally ranked teams from across the nation has helped our strength of schedule and has helped us into being ranked in our region."

Simpson currently ranks at the top of the conference in numerous offensive categories, including doubles (79), triples (15), and slugging percentage (.520). Ashlyn Steen and Alexis Ehlers have been two of the Storm's standout players, with the duo leading the conference in a combined five different offensive categories.

REGION IX RANKINGS
1. Central (25-7)
2. Coe (27-9)
3. Wartburg (22-12)
4. Bethel (25-7)
5. Saint Mary's (MN) (27-9)
6. Saint Benedict (22-14)
7. Simpson (24-12)