Simpson holds steady with No. 10 ranking in softball poll
INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson softball team remained steady at No. 10 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll, released Wednesday, April 1.
The Storm (21-5) have gone 3-3 since cracking the top 10 a week ago. Simpson swept St. Benedict on March 27, split with Gustavus Adolphus on March 28 and, most recently, suffered a sweep at the hands of Iowa Conference rival Central on March 31.
Despite the losses, Simpson received 124 points in the poll, which is voted on by eight NCAA Division III head coaches representing the eight NCAA regions.
Complete NFCA Division III Poll
As of the NCAA Division III National Rankings Summary released March 28, the Storm boasted one of the top power-hitting teams in the nation, ranking seventh with 1.17 home runs per game. Individually, free-swinging catcher Tori Haag ranked second with eight long balls and 16th with 27 RBIs. Fellow power hitter Rachel Guessford ranked 18th with five home runs and 30th with 23 RBIs.
Although the pitching staff has been roughed up a little lately, Simpson ranked 35th nationally with a 1.97 team ERA, led by Abbie VanVleet and Riley Fisher. VanVleet's 10 wins ranked 11th in Division III and Fisher ranked second with three saves.
The Storm continue their trek through the Iowa Conference on Saturday, April 4 at Buena Vista.
NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll - April 1, 2015
1. Tufts, 14-0
2. Salisbury, 18-1
t3. East Texas Baptist, 14-2
t3. Texas-Tyler, 22-1
5. Luther, 22-0
6. Rowan, 20-0
7. Illinois Wesleyan, 17-3
8. Trine, 19-2
9. Emory, 24-2
10. Simpson, 21-5
11. Virginia Wesleyan, 18-4
12. North Central (Ill.), 11-1
13. Wis.-Whitewater, 11-3
14. St. Thomas (Minn.), 20-4
15. Washington (Mo.), 21-7
16. Central (Iowa), 20-6
17. Averett, 25-1-1
18. Louisiana College, 17-5
19. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 16-6
20. Augustana (Ill.), 14-5-1
21. Christopher Newport, 15-6
22. Rochester, 8-5
23. Williams, 12-3
24. Kean, 8-3
t25. George Fox, 23-5
t25. College of New Jersey, 9-3
