Simpson softball moves up to seventh in the NPI rankings

INDIANOLA, Iowa - In the latest edition of the NCAA NPI rankings, Simpson placed seventh nationally, and stayed strong at 11th in the NFCA/GoRout Top 25 Coaches Poll on Tuesday.

Simpson improved to 26-5 last weekend with doubleheader sweeps over Dubuque at home and Loras on the road, along with a split against No. 23 Central. 

The NPI is a computer model used to determine seeding and at-large bids to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship tournament. The tournament will include 62 teams including 41 automatic Pool A bids, one Pool B bid and 20 at-large Pool C bids. At-large selections will be awarded to the 20 highest ranked teams, according to the NPI, remaining following the Pool A and B selections.

Despite moving up three slots in the NPI ranking, the Storm held at the number two spot in the region, trailing only Saint Mary's at five. The Storm led the trio of A-R-C schools ranked in the top-50 with Wartburg at 21 and Central at 23.

Leading the offense for Simpson has been two-time All-American, and recently named A-R-C Player of the Week, Ashlyn Steen. Steen currently leads the conference in batting average (.541), on-base (.617), slugging (.918), runs scored (51), hits (53), triples (8), and stolen bases (33). Cleaning up behind Steen in the order has been the trio of Megan Heidelbauer, Mackenzie James, and Katie Shaner. The three have combined for 101 RBIs, 78 runs scored, and 49 extra base hits. In the circle, two-time A-R-C Pitcher of the Week Marina Cronin and senior Emma LaFave have formed a lethal 1-2 punch. The duo is 22-4 on the season with 15 complete games, and 141 strikeouts over 158.2 innings of work.

The Storm host Buena Vista today, Tuesday, April 21 for a doubleheader at 3:00 p.m. before Nebraska Wesleyan comes to town for senior day on Saturday, April 25 with first pitched scheduled for 1:00 p.m.