It was a season that nobody outside of the Cardinal dugout saw coming — and that is exactly what made it so special.
The Cardinal Comets softball team finished 2026 with a 17-12 record, a state tournament appearance, and an upset of the top-ranked team in Class 2A, capping the best season the program has seen since 2024 when they went 27-8. But the story of this season is about more than wins and losses — it is about a culture shift led by a first-year head coach who arrived with a vision and a group of players who bought in completely.
Hannah Simpson, a 2022 Fairfield High School graduate who last made the state tournament as a player in 2020 when the Trojans fell in the quarterfinal to Dallas Center-Grimes, took over the Cardinal program this season after swapping roles with former head coach Dustin LaRue. Simpson played college softball at Indian Hills Community College and Western Illinois University before returning to southeast Iowa to take the Cardinal job. What followed was one of the most remarkable first seasons a high school coach in the area has had in recent memory.
The parallels to Cardinal softball history are not lost on those who have followed the program. Steph Christner coached Cardinal to back-to-back state softball championships in 2003 and 2004, winning the first title in her very first season as head coach — a feat Simpson came remarkably close to replicating in her own first year. Whether Simpson can finish the job next season remains to be seen, but the foundation she has laid in year one has the Cardinal community daring to dream.
The Comets went from 11-17 last season — six games below .500 — to 17-12 in 2026, finishing fifth in the brutally competitive South Central Conference with a 6-8 record in conference play. Down the stretch, Cardinal went just 1-4 in their final five regular season games, falling to Mount Pleasant 14-12 and EBF 7-1, beating Davis County 5-4, then dropping close decisions to Clarke 3-2 and Centerville 3-2. They entered the postseason as the third seed in the substate bracket with some wondering whether they had enough to make a deep run. They did.
Regional Quarterfinal: Cardinal 10, Lamoni 8 — Wednesday, July 9th
Cardinal opened postseason play at home against Lamoni, which entered the contest at 19-5 and was not going to be an easy test. What followed was one of the most dramatic games of the season.
Cardinal’s offense ignited in the second inning on a clutch two-run single from pitcher Maclain Hickenbottom to give the Comets an early lead. The teams were tied 3-3 after three innings before Cardinal exploded for four runs in the fourth — highlighted by a two-run single from Sophia Brown and an RBI walk drawn by eighth grader Mavryn Hickenbottom — to take a 7-3 lead, then added one more in the fifth to lead 8-3. Lamoni, however, would not go quietly. The Demons scored two in the sixth and three more in the seventh to tie the game at 8-8.
Then Sophia Brown stepped to the plate.
The sophomore cleanup hitter crushed a two-run home run to left field in the bottom of the seventh to send Cardinal to the semifinals with a 10-8 walk-off victory. Brown was outstanding all day, going 3-for-4 with one home run and five RBIs to lead the Cardinal offense. Maclain Hickenbottom also delivered in the circle, throwing a complete game with seven strikeouts. Alexis Bissell crossed the plate three times, reaching on an error and drawing two walks. Summer LaRue and Autumn Sertterh each collected a hit, while Maclain Hickenbottom went 2-for-4 with two RBIs to cap off a dominant all-around performance.
Regional Semifinal: Cardinal 2, Pleasantville 0 — Saturday, July 11th
Originally scheduled for Friday, July 10th, the semifinal was pushed to Saturday due to weather. Cardinal traveled to face 13th-ranked Pleasantville, and Maclain Hickenbottom put on one of the finest individual pitching performances of the season.
The Cardinal ace went the distance, throwing a seven-inning complete game shutout while striking out 12 batters. Defensively, the Comets were equally sharp, executing a crucial double play to squash a Pleasantville rally and playing a flawless game in the field with only one error.
Cardinal’s offense gave Hickenbottom all the support she would need in the second inning. Mavryn Hickenbottom delivered a clutch RBI single from the seven spot in the lineup to open the scoring, and Bristol Albert added an insurance run in the seventh inning at the bottom of the order to make it 2-0 — the final score. The Comets collected nine hits on the day, with Mavryn Hickenbottom leading the way going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Summer LaRue went 2-for-4, while Sophia Brown, Autumn Sertterh, Maelin Hickenbottom, Alexis Bissell, and Bristol Albert each added a hit.
Regional Final: Cardinal 5, Interstate 35 3 — Monday, July 13th
The Comets, unranked and seeded third in the substate bracket, traveled two hours to Truro to face fifth-ranked and top-seeded Interstate 35 with a trip to the state tournament on the line. What unfolded was one of the biggest upsets in the state that night.
Cardinal struck first in the second inning when Maclain Hickenbottom delivered a monster two-run home run to give the Comets a 2-0 lead. The third run came in the fourth inning when Maelin Hickenbottom scored on a Kolbi Saner sacrifice fly to push the lead to 3-0.
Interstate 35 would not go quietly. A two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth cut the Cardinal lead to 3-2, but the Comet defense stepped up and retired the side with no further damage. The Comets threatened in the fifth but could not push across any insurance runs. Interstate 35 had runners on in the fifth as well, but a challenge on whether a runner tagged up before advancing went Cardinal’s way, and Maclain Hickenbottom struck out the final batter to escape the inning unscathed.
The Comets broke the game open in the top of the sixth when Autumn Sertterh delivered a clutch two-out, bases-loaded single to score two runs and push the lead to 5-2. Interstate 35 went down in order in the sixth before making one final push in the seventh, scoring once to make it 5-3 with a runner on second and two outs. The final batter popped it up to LaRue at shortstop, and Cardinal was going to the state tournament for the first time since 2005 — ending a 21-year drought with one of the most memorable nights in recent program history.
State Tournament Game 1: Cardinal 4, Grand View Christian 3 — Monday, July 20th
In one of the tournament’s biggest upsets, Cardinal — the eighth and lowest seed in the Class 2A bracket — knocked off top-seeded Grand View Christian 4-3 on Monday, July 20th at Rogers Park in Fort Dodge.
Cardinal struck first in the opening inning when Sophia Brown drove in a run with an RBI single to make it 1-0. Grand View Christian tied it when a runner scored on a throwing error, but the Cardinal defense held strong. Maclain Hickenbottom got out of a jam from the circle in the second with back-to-back strikeouts and settled in from there. The Comets took the lead for good in the fourth on a two-run double by Mavryn Hickenbottom, and added an insurance run on an RBI groundout from Saner to lead 4-1 heading into the late innings.
Grand View Christian made things interesting with two runs in the sixth and seventh innings respectively to cut the lead to 4-3, but Hickenbottom and the Cardinal defense would not buckle. Sertterh caught a pop-up behind the plate for the second out in the seventh, and Saner made a wall-crashing catch on a foul ball down the first base line to seal the win. Hickenbottom finished with nine strikeouts and allowed just four hits. Summer LaRue went 3-for-4 to lead the offense, with Sophia Brown going 2-for-3 and Sertterh and Mavryn Hickenbottom each adding a hit.
Mavryn Hickenbottom was named the Kwik Star Player of the Game for her performance, earning the honor of putting the team’s name on the bracket to advance to the next round.
Cardinal had now upset the No. 13, No. 5, and No. 1 ranked teams in their postseason run. The Cinderella story was real.
State Tournament Game 2: Cardinal 2, Regina Catholic 6 — Tuesday, July 21st
The winners bracket matchup on Tuesday, July 21st proved to be a tougher challenge. Cardinal jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning on a two-out, two-RBI double by Sophia Brown, but Regina Catholic tied it in the bottom of the frame and never trailed again.
Maclain Hickenbottom struck out six and kept Regina’s offense at bay for stretches, leaving runners stranded on second and third in three separate innings, but the Comets could not push across runs in the fourth and fifth innings despite solid defensive innings. Regina broke through with a four-run sixth inning to pull away for a 6-2 victory. Brown drove in both Cardinal runs, with Alexis Bissell, Summer LaRue, Mavryn Hickenbottom, and Bristol Albert each adding a hit.
State Tournament Game 3: Cardinal 3, Grand View Christian 11 — Tuesday, July 21st
Sent to the elimination bracket, Cardinal faced a rematch with Grand View Christian — the same team they had stunned just the night before. Unlike traditional double-elimination brackets where teams cross over to face opponents from the other side, the state tournament format kept Cardinal in the top half of the bracket, meaning the Comets had no choice but to face the team they had already beaten to stay alive. This time the Thunder came out with something to prove.
Cardinal took an early 1-0 lead on a two-out RBI single by Sertterh in the first inning, but Grand View Christian responded with a four-run bottom of the first and added two more in the second to lead 6-1. Cardinal trimmed the lead to 6-3 in the third after Maelin Hickenbottom hit an RBI single and scored all the way from first on a throwing error, but the Thunder did not waver and did not surrender another hit. The game ended in six innings by run rule at 11-3, bringing Cardinal’s season to a close. Sertterh and Maelin Hickenbottom each drove in a run, with Bissell, Sertterh, and Maelin Hickenbottom collecting the team’s three hits.
Grand View Christian went on to win the Class 2A state championship, with Cardinal bringing their only defeat.
A Season to Remember
Despite the early exit, the numbers tell the story of a program on the rise. Cardinal finished this postseason run having upset the No. 13, No. 5, and No. 1 ranked teams in Class 2A. They reached the state tournament for the first time in 21 years. They did it under a first-year head coach. And they did it with a roster that features significant contributors who are not yet seniors.
Several Comets also earned individual recognition for their performances this season. Maclain Hickenbottom earned First Team All-Conference and All-District honors for her dominant performance in the circle and at the plate. Summer LaRue earned Second Team All-Conference honors along with All-District recognition for her offensive contributions. Autumn Sertterh, Alexis Bissell, and Sophia Brown each received Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition.
Simpson Reflects on a Historic Season
Ottumwa Radio got in contact with Simpson following the conclusion of the season to get her thoughts on the run, the culture she has built, and what comes next for Cardinal softball.
On swapping roles with Dustin LaRue and what his presence as an assistant has meant: “Dustin and I had talked before the season, and we both felt this was the right move for the program. He has been nothing but supportive from day one. He’s someone I trust completely, and having a coach with his experience by my side was huge. He never made it about titles — he made it about doing whatever was best for our players. Along with Dustin, assistant coach Zoey Jones was incredible as well. Both of them poured so much time and energy into these girls, and I couldn’t have asked for a better staff to go through this season with.”
On what drew her to the Cardinal program: “I saw a program that had a lot more potential than people gave it credit for. There was talent, but more importantly there were girls who wanted to work. I believed if everyone bought into one vision and one standard, we could accomplish something special. My goal was to create a culture built on accountability, confidence, grit, and believing in each other.”
On how her college playing experience at Indian Hills and Western Illinois shaped her coaching philosophy: “Playing at both levels taught me that talent only takes you so far. The mental side of the game, preparation, discipline, and trusting your teammates are what separate good teams from great ones. I tried to bring those experiences into our program every day and help these girls understand that confidence and consistency matter just as much as physical ability.”
On returning to the state tournament as a first-year head coach after last going as a player in 2020: “It was surreal. Going as a player was something I’ll always remember, but being able to help lead a group of girls there as a first-year head coach was incredibly special. Watching them experience something that hadn’t happened at Cardinal in 21 years made it even more meaningful.”
On whether she believed this run was possible and what the turning point was: “I truly believed this group was capable of making a run. Inside our dugout we believed. The turning point was when the girls fully bought into the program and started believing in themselves the same way our coaching staff believed in them. Once they realized they could compete with anyone, everything changed.”
On the single biggest change from last season’s 11-17 record to this year’s 17-12: “The biggest change was the culture. We raised the standard and created an environment where everyone was accountable to one another. Every practice had purpose, and every player understood her role. Once everyone bought into the same goal, the wins started taking care of themselves.”
On keeping the team focused after losing four of their last five regular season games: “We reminded them that postseason softball is a fresh start. None of what happened before mattered anymore. We stayed positive, trusted the work we’d put in all season, and focused on playing our best softball when it mattered most.”
On her philosophy that 90% of softball is mental and how it played out during the state tournament run: “Our postseason run was the perfect example of that. We faced some of the best teams in the state, but our girls never backed down. They stayed composed, believed in one another, and trusted themselves in big moments. Talent got us there, but our mindset carried us.”
On what needs to happen this offseason to make good on her promise to return to state: “We can’t be satisfied. This run was amazing, but our goal is bigger than just making state. We have to keep developing, keep working, and continue building the culture we’ve created. This season wasn’t just a great story — it was the foundation for what Cardinal softball can become.”
On what this season proved about Cardinal softball and her message to returning players: “It proved that Cardinal softball can compete with anyone in the state. My message is simple: don’t let this be the peak. Continue buying into the program, trust the process, and understand that expectations are different now. We’ve shown what’s possible, and now it’s our responsibility to keep raising the bar.”
On what the season means for the Cardinal community and the younger girls who look up to the program: “I hope it gave our community something to be proud of. Seeing the support throughout the postseason meant everything to our team. I also hope the younger girls now believe they can accomplish the same thing one day. We want to build a tradition that lasts for years, not just one season.”
On losing four seniors but the talent returning: “We’re definitely going to miss our four seniors. They helped lay the foundation for what we’re building, and I’m incredibly thankful for everything they gave this program. At the same time, we have a lot of talented young players returning. Seeing contributions from players like Mavryn, Maelin, Maclain, Sophia, Brayleigh, Bristol, and so many others gives me confidence in the future. The expectations won’t change. We’ll continue working to put ourselves back in this position and hopefully take the next step.”
Her final words on the season: “I just want to thank our seniors for believing in a first-year coaching staff and buying into the vision from day one. They helped change the culture of Cardinal softball and left the program better than they found it. I’d also like to thank my assistant coaches, Dustin LaRue and Zoey Jones. Their commitment, knowledge, and support were invaluable all season. Finally, thank you to the Cardinal community. The support we received throughout this postseason run was incredible, and our girls felt it every step of the way. This is only the beginning for Cardinal softball.”
Honoring the Seniors
Four seniors — Autumn Sertterh, Alexis Bissell, Summer LaRue, and Kolbi Saner — played pivotal roles in Cardinal’s historic run and will leave the program having helped lay the foundation for what’s to come.
LaRue was the most productive hitter on the roster all season, finishing with 34 hits and eight doubles — both team highs. She capped that double total in fitting fashion, ripping her eighth during a dominant 3-for-4 performance in Cardinal’s stunning first-round state tournament upset over Grand View Christian. Bissell finished the season second on the team with 29 hits and Sertterh led the Comets with nine stolen bases all year — both collected two hits at state, with Sertterh coming up clutch multiple times during the postseason run. Saner finished with 15 hits on the season and logged an RBI at state.
For four seniors who stuck with the program through a difficult year, walking off the field at a state tournament venue for the final time as Comets made every hard practice and tough loss worth it.
What Returns
The future of Cardinal softball looks bright. All three pitchers — Maclain Hickenbottom, Sophia Brown, and Maelin Hickenbottom — are set to return. Among the top hitters, Maclain Hickenbottom, Sophia Brown, and Mavryn Hickenbottom all return as well, giving the Comets a strong core to build around heading into 2027.
Simpson acknowledged the disappointing ending but said she was proud of how the team competed in a social media post. “Although our season ended sooner than we hoped, I’m incredibly proud of the way we competed. We had the opportunity to face the No. 1 team in the state, the same team that went on to win the State Championship. We showed that we belonged on that field. That alone says so much about the heart, determination, and resilience of this team.”
