Simpson crowned 2026 A-R-C Tournament Champions

WAVERLY, Iowa - For the first time in a rich program history, the Simpson Softball team was crowned the A-R-C Tournament Champions.

Simpson began the day with a semifinal matchup against Coe. Simpson held a 3-0 lead, needing just three outs to advance to the championship game before Coe stunned the Storm with four runs in the seventh to take its first lead of the game. However, the Storm refused to quit, and a single from Brynn Ortlund followed by RBI hits from Ashlyn Steen and Megan Heidelbauer gave Simpson the 5-4 walk-off for its first trip to the A-R-C Championship game since 2016 and third in program history.

In the championship, Simpson turned to Marina Cronin who went a full seven innings, delivering a two-hit, one run gem to lead the Storm to the title. Heidelbauer provided the run support for Cronin, driving in four runs on two hits as seven hitters collected at least one hit leading Simpson to a 6-1 title victory.

The Storm enter the NCAA Regional with a 34-5 record and will find out if they will host the regional on Monday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. on the NCAA selection show.

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS

• After a lead-off walk, Ashlyn Steen doubled-off the runner with a catch in shallow center. Following the double-play, Emma LaFave retired the next 10 batters until the fourth inning.
• Simpson had its first base runner reach in the third but it wasn't until the fourth when the bats broke through. Back-to-back errors on the left side of the infield set up Brielyn Ginnaty with one out.
• Ginnaty delivered Simpson's first and the game's first hit, a three-run shot to right that put the Storm on top.
• LaFave continued to stifle the Coe bats, leaving one runner on in the fifth and escaped a small two-runner jam in the sixth.
• In the seventh, after a quick one-pitch pop out to first, Coe got its first run of the game on a solo shot to left center making it a 3-1 ballgame.
• Coe added one more base hit and two walks loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh inning. Down to the final out, Coe delivered with a bases-clearing double to take a 4-3 lead.
• Heading to the seventh, Brynn Ortlund started the rally with a single through the left side to put the tying run on first. Steen followed by putting a ball in the left center gap, and with aggressive base running, Ortlund scored from first to tie the game at 4-4.
• Megan Heidelbauer sent the Storm to the title game with a drive through the left side, scoring Steen, and walking off Coe for a 5-4 win.

GAME ONE LEADERS

Brielyn Ginnaty - 1-for-3, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R
Emma LaFave - 7 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 1 K
Megan Heidelbauer - 2-for-4, 2 1B, 1 RBI
Ashlyn Steen - 1-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS

• Caelynn Obleton put the Storm on the board in the second with an RBI single through the right side, scoring Gracie Bruening who reached on a double in the gap.
• Simpson continued the second by loading up the bases for Heidelbauer with two outs. The righty cleared the bags with a triple and extended Simpson's lead to 4-0.
• Marina Cronin silenced the Duhawks bats, not allowing a hit until the fifth inning. Cronin stranded two runners in scoring position in the fifth before Loras worked its first run of the game in the sixth on a lead-off triple followed by a sac-fly.
• Simpson added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth starting with a sac-fly RBI for Heidelbauer and capped off a Katie Shaner RBI single.
• Cronin wasted no time in the seventh, collecting all three outs on a fly out, pop out, and strikeout looking to punch Simpson's ticket and claim the A-R-C Tournament title.

GAME TWO LEADERS

Marina Cronin - 7 IP, CG, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K
Megan Heidelbauer - 2-for-4, 1 3B, 4 RBI
Caelynn Obleton - 1-for-2, 1 1B, 2 R, 1 RBI
Brynn Ortlund - 1-for-3, 1 1B, 2 R

UP NEXT

Simpson now waits to hear its name called on Monday morning in the NCAA selection show to know where the Storm will play in the NCAA Regionals. Regional action runs from Thursday, May 14 - Saturday, May 16.