Posted: Apr 11, 2026
LaFave, Cronin lead 13th-ranked Storm to doubleheader sweep of Norse
Luther
(12-9, 3-2)
4
Simpson
(20-4, 3-2)
5
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Luther | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 |
|
Simpson | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | X | 5 | 8 | 1 |
Luther
(12-10, 3-3)
1
Simpson
(21-4, 4-2)
5
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Luther | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
|
Simpson | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | X | 5 | 6 | 0 |
INDIANOLA, Iowa - Ashlyn Steen drove in five as Marina Cronin and Emma LaFave pitched 13th-ranked Simpson to a 5-4, and 5-1 sweep over Luther on Saturday.
GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS
- Ashlyn Steen got the offense going with a solo shot, her third of the season, to right in the third inning.
- In the fourth, Simpson capitalized on a throwing error by Luther to score Abigail Rouse on the play to put the Storm up 2-0.
- Megan Heidelbauer kicked off a three-run fifth inning with an RBI single, scoring Brynn Ortlund. Productive RBI outs from Mackenzie James and Addison Gookin helped Simpson extend the lead to 5-0.
- Marina Cronin had been nearly perfect until the sixth inning when an error allowed the Norse their first run of the game.
- Luther scored once more in the sixth, and in the seventh a single scored two but the Storm defense ended the game, throwing out the tying run at second to secure the 5-4 win.
GAME ONE LEADERS
Marina Cronin - 7 IP, W, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Ashlyn Steen - 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB
Megan Heidelbauer - 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS
- The Storm quickly put the pressure on the Norse with a two RBI triple in the left center gap from Ashlyn Steen in the bottom of the second.
- Steen struck again in the fourth, doubling Simpson's lead with a two RBI double up the middle, scoring Ortlund and Alexis Voss on the play.
- Heidelbauer plated the final run of the day for Simpson later in the fourth with a double to right center, scoring Steen and putting Simpson up 5-0.
- Luther's lone run off Emma LaFave came in the sixth inning with a solo home run to center. Outside of the homer, Luther had no answer to LaFave, who went the full seven innings, allowing just five hits and two strikeouts.
GAME TWO LEADERS
Emma LaFave - 7 IP, W, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Ashlyn Steen - 2-for-4, 1 2B, 1 3B, 4 RBI, 1 R
Megan Heidelbauer - 1-for-2, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 RBI
UP NEXT
Simpson continues the homestand with a doubleheader against Dubuque on Tuesday, April 14 with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
