Storm still receiving votes in coaches poll
INDIANOLA, Iowa - For the second week in a row the Simpson softball team is receiving votes in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Top 25 Poll, released Wednesday, March 16.
The poll is selected by Division III head coaches representing the eight NCAA regions and reflect results through Sunday, March 13.
The Storm received seven votes, up from two last week. Following a productive trip to Kissimmee, Fla. for the Rebel Spring Games, the Storm return to the Midwest with a 17-4 record on the season. Simpson went 12-2 during its trip to the Sunshine State, a mark which included a 10-game winning streak.
Though it hasn't cracked the top 25 yet, Simpson has done its part to be put in consideration. The Storm have a better winning percentage than 13 of the teams in the top 25 and have wins over No. 13 Trine and second-most vote getter, Wis.-Oshkosh.
Simpson opens its home schedule Saturday, March 19 when it hosts Iowa Wesleyan in a double-header beginning at 2 p.m.
NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll - March 16, 2016
| Rank | Team (1st-place votes) | 2016 Record | Previous |
| 1 | Texas-Tyler (8) | 17-2 | 1 |
| 2 | Emory | 21-1 | 4 |
| 3 | Christpher Newport | 14-1 | 3 |
| 4 | Texas Lutheran | 16-1 | 6 |
| 5 | Tufts | 0-0 | 5 |
| 6 | East Texas Baptist | 15-4 | 7 |
| 7 | Luther | 7-1 | 9 |
| 8 | Salisbury | 12-3 | t11 |
| t9 | Berry | 17-4 | 10 |
| t9 | Washington (Mo.) | 14-4 | 2 |
| 11 | Virginia Wesleyan | 11-4 | 8 |
| 12 | St. John Fisher | 9-1 | 15 |
| 13 | Trine | 9-5 | NR |
| 14 | Heidelberg | 6-0 | 14 |
| 15 | Illinois Wesleyan | 5-3 | 13 |
| 16 | Linfield | 11-6 | 23 |
| 17 | Claremont-Mudd-Scripps | 14-5-1 | NR |
| 18 | Moravian | 10-2 | 19 |
| 19 | Alma | 11-5 | 22 |
| 20 | Gustavus Adolphus | 4-0 | 21 |
| 21 | Central | 12-6 | 17 |
| 22 | Birmingham-Southern | 14-4 | NR |
| t23 | Cortland | 3-1 | 18 |
| t23 | Lake Forest | 3-6 | 20 |
| 25 | Messiah | 9-2 | NR |
Others receiving votes: Rowan 22, Wis.-Oshkosh 20, Wheaton (Mass.) 15, St. Thomas (Minn.) 8, Simpson 7, Coe 3, Worcester Polytechnic Institute 3, Alfred 2, Wis.-Eau Claire 1
