Simpson climbs to No. 13 in softball poll
INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson softball team jumped five spots to No. 13 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll, released Wednesday, March 18.
The Storm (18-2) earned 94 points in the poll, moving up from No. 18 a week ago. Simpson began the season receiving votes and debuted at No. 25 two weeks ago.
The poll is voted on by eight NCAA Division III head coaches representing the eight NCAA regions.
Simpson closed out play at the Rebel Spring Games last week, going 12-2 at the Winter Haven, Fla.-based tournament. The team has found success largely due to stellar pitching, posting a 1.33 team ERA. Abbie VanVleet (9-0, 0.62 ERA) and Riley Fisher (7-2, 1.79 ERA, 2 saves) are the aces in the circle while Tori Haag (.425, 6 HR, 21 RBIs) and Rachel Guessford (.410, 4 HR, 19 RBIs) lead the offense.
The Storm are off until Friday, March 27 when they open the home schedule with a doubleheader against Saint Benedict.
NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll - March 18, 2015
1. Tufts (8-0)
t2. East Texas Baptist (8-0)
t2. Salisbury (8-1)
4. Texas-Tyler (15-0)
5. Wis.-Whitewater (0-0)
6. Illinois Wesleyan (8-1)
7. Luther (14-0)
8. Trine (12-1)
9. Rowan (14-0)
10. Emory (18-2)
11. Virginia Wesleyan (10-2)
12. Kean (4-2)
13. Simpson (18-2)
14. Augustana (Ill.) (10-0)
15. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (11-3)
16. St. Thomas (Minn.) (15-2)
17. North Central (Ill.) (0-0)
18. Washington (Mo.) (16-4)
19. Central (8-4)
20. William Paterson (5-1)
21. Louisiana (12-1)
t22. Anderson (Ind.) (5-1)
t22. Chirstopher Newport (5-4)
t22. Rochester (8-5)
25. Averett (18-0-1)
Receiving Votes: Lake Forest (10), George Fox (10), DePauw (6), Williams (6), Alfred (5), Oneonta (2), Fontbonne (2), Linfield (1), Texas Lutheran (1), Worcester Polytechnic Inst. (1), Wheaton (Mass.) (1)
Dropped Out: Montclair State, Western Conn. State
