Storm softball picked third in A-R-C Preseason Coaches Poll

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Led by All-American outfielder Ashlyn Steen, the Storm softball team was picked tied for third in the A-R-C Preseason Coaches Poll on Tuesday.

Simpson returns a star-studded lineup from last season, highlighted by All-American outfielder Steen, along with All-Region selections Megan Heidelbauer, Caelynn Obleton, and Alexis Ehlers. Adding to the depth is second-team all-conference selection Kate Kriegel as well. Inside the circle, senior pitcher Kylee Tucker looks to lead the Storm staff that features two veteran arms in Sierra Franklin and Emma LaFave.

"We are really excited for the opportunities ahead of us this season," said head coach Brent Matthias. "Our team is a good mix of talented veterans and newcomers. The American Rivers Conference, top to bottom, is one of the toughest softball leagues in the country. We look forward to competing in it."

LOOKING BACK AT LAST SEASON

• Simpson finished the 2024 campaign with a 27-13 record and 9-7 in A-R-C action, qualifying for the A-R-C Tournament.
• The Storm defeated 4-seed Nebraska Wesleyan in the opening round before falling in the semi-finals to top-seeded Central.
• Simpson went a perfect 10-0 at home last season, and featured an 18-game win streak from March 14 to April 9.
• Steen became the 16th player in program history to be named an All-American.
• The quartet of Steen, Heidelbauer, Obleton, and Ehlers were all named to the NFCA All-Region team, with Steen and Heidelbauer being first-team selections.
• Those four, along with Kriegel, and senior catcher Maddie Luderman were all named to the A-R-C All-Conference team.
• Fifthteen players were named to the A-R-C All-Academic team, and five were named to the CSC Academic All-District list, while the team finished 21st on the NFCA team GPA ranking.

KEY OFFENSIVE RETURNERS (2024 STATS)

• Ashlyn Steen (40 G, .444 AVG, 1.173 OPS, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 32 SB)
• Megan Heidelbauer (39 G, .405 AVG, 1.074 OPS, 3 HR, 29 RBI, 16 SB)
• Caelynn Obleton (40 G, .381 AVG, .916 OPS, 21 RBI, 16 SB)
• Alexis Ehlers (40 G, .342 AVG, 1.153 OPS, 8 HR, 44 RBI, 16 SB)
• Kate Kriegel (40 G, .255 AVG, .766 OPS, 19 RBI, 8 SB)

KEY PITCHERS RETURNING (2024 STATS)

• Kylee Tucker (16 G, 7-2 W/L, 52 IP, 1.75 ERA, 23 K)
• Sierra Franklin (10 G, 2-1 W/L, 21.1 IP, 3.61 ERA, 23 K)
• Emma LaFave (7 G, 0-1 W/L, 10.2 IP, 7.22 ERA, 4 K)

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