Stunning seventh-inning rally sends Simpson to the NCAA Super Regionals

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Behind another seventh-inning dramatic comeback, Simpson softball punched its ticket to the NCAA Super Regionals, marking the longest postseason run since the 1999 National Championship, on Saturday.

After dropping the first game to Saint Benedict 4-3, Simpson faced elimination, trailing 2-to-1, with just two outs left in the regional final. Back-to-back errors on the Bennies' pitcher put the tying run in scoring position and the go-ahead run on first. After a pop out put the Storm down to their final out, it was the senior Caelynn Obleton who came through in the clutch.

The senior drove a 1-0 pitch back up the middle to score the tying run in Addison Gookin, leaving runners on first and second. Brynn Ortlund completed the comeback as she lofted a ball into left, as pinch-runner Abigail Rouse flew around third and scored the eventual game-winning run a split second before the third out was applied at third.

In the final half inning, Saint Benedict led off with back-to-back singles to put the tying run 60 feet away at third. All-Tournament team selection Marina Cronin buckled down and got two outs on a strikeout followed by a ground out to first. After a nine-pitch walk to load the bases, Cronin escaped the jam with a soft comebacker straight to her, where she flipped to Gracie Bruening at home for the 3-2 win.

Megan Heidelbauer was named the Indianola Regional Most Outstanding Player after collecting four hits, three runs scored, one home run and four RBIs. Joining Heidelbauer and Cronin on the All-Tournament team was Ashlyn Steen and Mackenzie James.

Simpson advances to the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time in school history, and now stands as one of 16 teams left in the NCAA Division III hunt for a national championship. 

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS

• Katie Shaner put the Storm on the board in the first inning with an RBI single to shortstop, scoring Steen.
• It wasn't until the fourth when Saint Benedict punched in its first run coming on a solo shot to left.
• The Bennies added to the lead in the fifth, scoring two runs on an RBI single to left, followed by a sac fly to center to make it 3-1.
• Shaner created havoc on the basepaths in the bottom of the fifth, allowing Heidelbauer on third to score before Shaner was picked off at first to cut the lead down to 3-2.
• CSB added a critical insurance run in the seventh, scoring one on an error by the Storm.
• Heidelbauer gave the Storm life in the bottom of the seventh, cutting the lead in half with an RBI up the middle before the Storm rally was cut short, forcing the if-necessary game.

GAME ONE LEADERS

• Marina Cronin - 2.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• Megan Heidelbauer - 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI
• Katie Shaner - 1-for-3, 1 RBI
• Brynn Ortlund - 2-for-3, 1 R

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS

• Saint Benedict did all of their damage in the third on a two-RBI double in the left center gap.
• Heidelbauer once again sparked the offense for Simpson in the sixth, scoring the Storm's first run on a single through the right side, scoring Obleton.
• Obleton tied up the ballgame in the seventh, scoring Gookin on a single up the middle before Ortlund picked up the eventual game-winning RBI on a single to left.
• Cronin got the ball once again in the circle, pitching a complete game, allowing six hits, only two earned runs while punching out five.

GAME TWO LEADERS

• Marina Cronin - 7 IP, W, CG, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
• Caelynn Obleton - 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B
• Megan Heidelbauer - 1-for-3, 1 RBI
• Brynn Ortlund - 1-for-1, 1 RBI, 1 BB

UP NEXT
The Storm will continue their postseason run with two-day, three-game series starting on Thursday, May 21. The winner advances to the College World Series.

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE