Sophomores Ashlyn Steen (left) and Megan Heidelbauer (right). Photos by Chad Timm.

Posted: May 16, 2024

Six Storm softball players earn all-conference nods

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Six members of the Simpson College softball team were named to the All-American Rivers Conference Softball Team, as announced on Thursday.

Ashlyn Steen and Megan Heidelbauer were named to the first team, while Alexis Ehlers, Kate Kriegel, Maddie Luderman, and Caelynn Obleton earned second team honors.

"Ashlyn led the league in stolen bases and was never thrown out," said Storm head coach Brent Matthias. "Add that to her top three batting average and she was an offensive force. Plus, her defense was stellar as well, as she had no errors and ran down a lot of balls that would have been doubles."

"Megan did a great job playing first base for the first time in her life," said Matthias. "She played great defense and was a reliable hitter. She hit for average and power and was an extremely tough out at the plate with a low strikeout rate."

The six selections are the most in a single year since the Storm's seven honorees in 2010. Steen also becomes the first player since Megan Crockett in 2019 and 2021 to be named to two straight all-conference first teams. Luderman is also earning her third career all-conference nod, the first player to accomplish that since Tori Haag from 2014-2016.

"I'm so excited for our all-conference winners," continued Matthias. "Having six players representing the best of the best in the American Rivers Conference says a lot about their ability and our program."

Megan Heidelbauer, First Team

Sophomore first baseman from Marion, Iowa
Earning her first career all-conference honor
Ranked second on the team in batting average (.405), RBIs (29), stolen bases (16), and doubles (12)
Was second in the conference in total putouts (305), recording a fielding percentage of .981
Had 15 multi-hit games on the year, including six in conference play
Hit three home runs on the year, including a walkoff run-rule homer against Luther
Involved in a team-high 18 double plays

Ashlyn Steen, First Team

Sophomore center fielder from Mount Vernon, Iowa
Receiving her second straight all-conference first team honor
Led the conference in batting average (.444), hits (60), stolen bases (32), and triples (6)
Joined Simpson's 100 career hit club in her second season
Won A-R-C Position Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks
Committed zero errors throughout the year for a perfect fielding percentage of 1.000
Had a 14-game hitting streak during the season with 19 multi-hit games

Alexis Ehlers, Second Team

Junior shortstop from Bryant, Iowa
Earning her second straight all-conference second team honor
Led the conference in slugging percentage (.717), doubles (17), and home runs (8)
Batted .342 on the year with 44 RBIs, with the 44 RBIs ranking second in a single season in school history
Named A-R-C Position Player of the Week for the second time in her career
Had a streak of recording 19 RBIs and three home runs over a six-game span
Recorded the best fielding percentage of her career (.940), while being involved in 12 double plays

Kate Kriegel, Second Team

Junior second baseman from Grinnell, Iowa
Earning her second career all-conference second team honor following second team honors as a freshman
Batted .255 on the year to go along with 19 RBIs
Ranked second in the conference with five triples on the year
Delivered the game-winning hit against Luther to essentially clinch a conference tournament spot for the Storm

Maddie Luderman, Second Team

Senior catcher from Bellevue, Neb.
Earning her third career all-conference honor
Batted .262 on the year to go along with six home runs and 26 RBIs
Set the Storm all-time program records for career RBIs (115) and walks (83)
Tied the program's all-time home run record (31) with a solo shot against Luther
Tied for the conference lead by throwing out 12 runners attempting to steal

Caelynn Obleton, Second Team

Sophomore third baseman from Marion, Iowa
Receiving her first career all-conference honor
Batted .381 to go along with seven doubles and 21 RBIs, all career-highs in a single season
Had the team's longest hit streak of the year with 17 games, recording at least one hit in 21 of the final 23 games
Recorded a fielding percentage of .967 at the hot corner, helping to turn eight double plays