Storm named A-R-C preseason favorite; open the year ranked No. 21 nationally
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Fresh off a historic season for Simpson softball, the expectations remain high as the Storm were selected to win the 2026 American Rivers Conference on Wednesday afternoon.
The accolades are already rolling in for Simpson as the Storm were ranked 21st-nationally in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) preseason poll earlier in the week.
Simpson received seven of the nine first place votes to pace the A-R-C standings at 62 points. Wartburg (54 points) and Central (47) each grabbed one first place vote with Loras (44), and Luther (36) rounding out the top five. Coe and Dubuque (24) tied for sixth and Nebraska Wesleyan (21) and Buena Vista (12) rounded out the poll.
"This is great for our fans and for Simpson," said 2025 A-R-C coaching staff of the year recipient Brent Matthias. "It's nice to be recognized and respected in this regard, but at the same time, how this team does will be determined by what happens on the diamond. Simpson softball is focused on getting better each day and being our best. The only thing we can control is our attitude and effort. The team's goal is to play hard and have fun."
Simpson features a potent lineup anchored by NFCA All-Americans Megan Heidelbauer and Ashlyn Steen. The reigning 2025 A-R-C Player of the Year and second team NFCA All-American, Heidelbauer set multiple single season school records including most hits (71), runs driven in (68), and total bases (142). Not only was Heidelbauer a force at the plate, but also on the diamond, winning the Rawlings Gold Glove at first base.
Setting the table all season long for Heidelbauer in the leadoff position was third team NFCA All-American Steen. Steen not only broke the school record for most runs scored in a single season (65) but also paced the entire NCAA Division-III. The senior centerfielder posted 70 hits with a .479 batting average, 107 total bases, and 28 stolen bases over 43 games.
Flushing out the middle of the order for Simpson are three second team all-conference returners in Katie Shaner, Caelynn Obleton, and Mackenzie James. Corner outfielders James and Shaner posted .372 and .339 batting averages while combining for 90 hits, 60 RBIs and five home runs. Obleton provided consistent defense at the hot corner while hitting .293 with 34 hits, 32 runs scored and 21 stolen bases.
Inside the circle, Simpson is led by ace and second team all-conference pitcher Emma LaFave. In 22 games, LaFave went 14-2 on the season with a 2.87 ERA, striking out 61 batters and completing seven games.
Other notable returners include catchers Makayla Fowler, and Gracie Bruening, designated player Brielyn Ginnaty, and pitchers Alyssa Breckner, and Marina Cronin.
Simpson begins the year with a top-25 matchup against #20 Illinois Wesleyan on Feb. 28 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. First home games for the Storm are set against Westminster on Saturday, March 7 before heading to Florida for The Spring Games where Simpson will play 11 games over eight days.
A-R-C competition is set to begin Wednesday, April 1 at Wartburg and continuing until the A-R-C Tournament starts Friday, May 8.
"The American Rivers Conference is the best softball conference in the nation," said Matthias. "Every day in this conference, top to bottom, you face some of the best coaches and players in NCAA Division III. We are thankful for the opportunities ahead for our conference and for Simpson softball."
LAST YEAR IN REVIEW
- The Storm posted a 34-9 record, the most wins since 2000 and fewest losses since 2004, while capturing the American Rivers Conference Regular Season Championship for the first time since 2010.
- Simpson earned its first NCAA Regional berth since 2016, becoming the lone A-R-C team to advance to the regional final before falling to College World Series participant Saint Mary's.
- Simpson's offense was among the nation's best, setting single-season program records for runs scored (324), triples (21), home runs (49), RBIs (287) and walks (158).
- The team ranked sixth nationally in scoring at 7.53 runs per game and posted the third-highest slugging percentage at .575.
- At their peak, the Storm were ranked No. 13 in the country and No. 2 in the region.
KEY OFFENSIVE RETURNERS (2025 STATS)
Megan Heidelbauer - Second team NFCA All-American, A-R-C Player of the Year, Rawlings Gold Glove (43 G, .497 AVG, 15 HR, 68 RBI, 71 H, 55 R, 15 SB)
Ashlyn Steen - Third team NFCA All-American, First team All-A-R-C (43 G, .479 AVG, 70 H, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 65 R, 28 SB)
Katie Shaner - Second team All-A-R-C (42 G, .339 AVG, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 39 H)
Caelynn Obleton - Second team All-A-R-C (43 G, .293 AVG, 34 H, 32 R, 21 SB)
Mackenzie James - Second team All-A-R-C (43 G, .372 AVG, 51 H, 34 RBI, 27 R, 8 SB)
KEY PITCHERS RETURNING (2025 STATS)
Emma LaFave - Second team All-A-R-C (22 G, 14-2, 2.87 ERA, 7 CG, 61 K)
Alyssa Breckner - (20 G, 5-4, 2.42 ERA, 3 CG, 29 K)
Marina Cronin - (13 G, 3-0, 4.08 ERA, 2 CG, 23 K)
2026 AMERICAN RIVERS CONFERENCE SOFTBALL PRESEASON POLL
1. Simpson - 62 (7 first place votes)
2. Wartburg - 54 (1)
3. Central - 47 (1)
4. Loras - 44
5. Luther -36
T-6. Coe - 24
T-6. Univ. of Dubuque - 24
8. Nebraska Wesleyan - 21
9. Buena Vista - 12
