Storm crack top 10 in softball poll
INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson softball team climbed to its highest national ranking in eight years, reaching No. 10 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll, released Wednesday, March 25.
The idle Storm (18-2) didn't play a game last week but managed to move up three spots in the poll. The No. 10 ranking is the program's highest since tying for 10th two straight weeks back in 2007. Simpson received 120 points in this week's poll, 16 behind ninth-ranked Emory.
The poll is voted on by eight NCAA Division III head coaches representing the eight NCAA regions.
The Storm make their home debut Friday against Saint Benedict. The doubleheader begins at 4 p.m.
NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll - March 25, 2015
1. Tufts (14-0)
2. Salisbury (12-1)
3. East Texas Baptist (8-0)
4. Texas-Tyler (17-0)
5. Luther (20-0)
6. Illinois Wesleyan (12-1)
7. Rowan (18-0)
8. Trine (16-1)
9. Emory (20-2)
10. Simpson (18-2)
11. North Central (Ill.) (10-0)
12. St. Thomas (Minn.) (16-2)
13. Virginia Wesleyan (14-4)
14. Wis.-Whitewater (6-2)
15. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (14-4)
16. Augustana (Ill.) (12-2)
17. William Paterson (9-3)
18. Washington (Mo.) (18-6)
19. Central (14-5)
20. Kean (6-3)
21. Averett (22-0-1)
22. Louisana College (13-3)
23. Rochester (8-5)
24. Christopher Newport (11-6)
t25. Anderson (Ind.) (8-4)
t25. George Fox (18-4)
Receiving votes: Hope (8), Wheaton-Mass. (3), Linfield (2), Oneonta (2), Alfred (1)
Dropped out: DePauw, Fontbonne, Lake Forest, Texas Lutheran, Williams, Worcester Polytechnic Inst.
