Simpson debuts in NCAA poll at No. 21
INDIANOLA, Iowa – After a 5-1 week in which Simpson swept defending national runner-up Coe and split with then-No. 6 Luther, the Simpson softball team made its debut in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll at No. 21, as announced Wednesday.
Simpson was unranked going into the week, but vaulted into the picture after crucial conference victories.
The Storm (24-7, 9-1 IIAC) also earned a No. 2 ranking in the Midwest Region, as regional rankings were revealed for the first time Wednesday.
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Top 25 Poll is voted on by eight NCAA Division III head coaches representing the eight NCAA regions.
Simpson travels to Dubuque for a doubleheader with Loras this afternoon before a crucial matchup with No. 11 Central Saturday, April 24 in Pella.
NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll - April 21
| Rank | Team | Record | Pts | Prev. |
| 1 | Louisiana College (8) | 34-2 | 200 | 1 |
| 2 | East Texas Baptist | 28-6 | 190 | 2 |
| 3 | Ohio Northern | 27-1 | 169 | 4 |
| 4 | Luther | 25-4 | 163 | 6 |
| 5 | Texas-Tyler | 29-5 | 160 | 3 |
| 6 | Messiah | 28-5 | 148 | 7 |
| 7 | College of New Jersey | 23-5 | 145 | 9 |
| 8 | Cortland State | 25-5 | 142 | 8 |
| 9 | Salisbury | 29-2 | 138 | 10 |
| 10 | Washington-St. Louis | 28-6 | 120 | 12 |
| 11 | Central | 20-7 | 109 | 14 |
| 12 | DePauw | 28-3 | 107 | 11 |
| 13 | Claremont-Mudd-Scripps | 28-6 | 102 | 13 |
| 14 | Brandeis | 22-5-1 | 97 | 20 |
| 15 | Christopher Newport | 36-8 | 93 | 5 |
| 16 | Linfield | 31-5 | 76 | 18 |
| 16 | North Central | 24-6 | 76 | 17 |
| 18 | Wisconsin-LaCrosse | 24-6 | 75 | 22 |
| 19 | Eastern Connecticut | 16-3-1 | 67 | 16 |
| 20 | Rowan | 20-7 | 53 | 24 |
| 21 | Simpson | 22-7 | 32 | NR |
| 22 | Rivier | 28-1 | 21 | NR |
| 23 | Transylvania | 24-8 | 20 | 23 |
| 24 | Wisconsin-Superior | 21-3-1 | 16 | NR |
| 25 | Gustavus Adolphus | 18-6 | 15 | NR |
Others receiving votes:
Point totals in parentheses: Susquehanna (12); Coast Guard Academy
(9); St. Thomas (9); Alma (8); Roanoke (7); three others received
votes but appeared on only one ballot.
Dropped out:
No. 15 Wisconsin-Whitewater, No. 19 Mississippi College, No. 21 St.
Thomas, No. 25 Willamette
