Simpson rallies back for opening round win at the Women's College World Series

SALEM, Va. - Trailing by two in the bottom of the sixth, Simpson rallied back with three runs to knock off Mount Union in the opening round of the Women's College World Series.

Simpson (40-6) held a 1-0 lead until the sixth when Mount Union (35-8) broke up the shutout with a two-out three-run home run. The Storm, who are no strangers to late-inning drama in the NCAA Tournament, added another dramatic comeback to the postseason resume. Clutch RBI hits from Katie Shaner and Brielyn Ginnaty tied up the game in the bottom of the sixth. With two runners on and just one out, Caelynn Obleton dropped down a bunt to first, allowing Addison Gookin to score from third as the eventual game-winning run.

Emma LaFave got the start in the circle for the Storm, going six innings, allowing three runs on five hits with zero walks and six strikeouts. Marina Cronin closed out the game for the save, stranding the game-tying runner on second with a line out to right.

For Simpson, the win marks the 40th of the season, reaching the milestone for the fourth time in program history, and first since 2000's 42-win campaign.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Emma LaFave allowed a one-out single in the top of the first before stranding the runner on the bases with a fly-out and her first punch out.
• After the first inning single, LaFave proceeded to retire the next 11 batters in a row to stifle the Purple Raiders' offense, four coming via the strikeout.
• Caelynn Obleton dropped down a bunt on the first base line to get the Storm's first hit of the evening. Brynn Ortlund singled and a hit-by-pitch for Steen forced the bases loaded. Mackenzie James plated the first run of the game with a four-pitch walk to put the Storm up in the third.
• Two runners reached for Mount Union in the sixth on singles to left, and with two outs in the frame, the Purple Raiders capitalized with a three-run home run to left center to take a 3-1 lead.
• Simpson punched right back in the bottom half of the frame with a three-run spot of their own. Heidelbauer kicked off the rally with a single and later scored on an RBI double from Shaner to make it a one-run ballgame. Gookin followed with a walk to set up Brielyn Ginnaty who doubled to left to tie the game at 3-3.
• With runners on second and third with one out, Obleton laid down a perfectly placed bunt down the first base line, scoring Gookin and putting the Storm back on top 4-3.
• For the final three outs, Marina Cronin was called into the game. Cronin allowed a lead-off walk but bounced back with a strike out and a groundout which advanced the runner to scoring position. Cronin sealed the win with a line out to Shaner as Simpson advanced to face Trine in the next round of the WCWS.

GAME LEADERS

Caelynn Obleton - 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 R
Brynn Ortlund - 2-for-3, 2 1B
Katie Shaner - 1-for-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Emma LaFave - 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

UP NEXT

Simpson moves on to face the defending National Champion Trine in the second round of the Women's College World Series. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT on Friday, May 29.

POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE