Tampa Slides to No. 9 in Newest Softball Poll
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Tampa softball team remains a top contender despite slipping to No. 9 in the NFCA Division II Poll that was released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association on Wednesday.
Fellow NCAA South Region foes Alabama-Huntsville (33-6) and Valdosta State (36-12) now sit at No. 3 and No. 21 respectively. North Alabama (33-12) dropped out of the poll and is listed as receiving votes along with fellow Sunshine State Conference rival Rollins.
Tampa (29-5, 17-4 SSC) is led by a dynamic pitching duo of Julia Morrow and Kayla Cox. Morrow has been nearly unhittable as the junior is now 14-2 with 164 strikeouts while sporting a 0.21 ERA in 101.2 innings. The junior tossed a complete game three-hitter while allowing no earned runs Saturday against Nova Southeastern. Cox was named SSC Pitcher of the Week and sports an equally impressive 15-3 record with 182 strikeouts in 136.0 innings and an ERA of 0.62. The senior is coming off two complete game victories over Nova with 12 strikeouts while allowing no earned runs leading the Spartans to a pivotal SSC series victory over the Sharks.
Offensively, Lindsay Dring and Meagan Burke are leading the way, hitting .384 and .350 respectively. Dring has 33 hits on the season with 12 RBI, while Burke posts team-highs with five homeruns and 17 RBI. Kayleen Boatwright and Jenna Halper sport batting averages over .300 with 36 and 27 hits respectively.
Tampa has now been ranked for a school-record 49 consecutive weeks after reaching its highest ranking ever at No. 2 last week.
The NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches, two representing each of the eight NCAA regions.
Tampa returns to action Thursday for a 6 p.m. Sunshine State Conference matchup for the first of a three game series against Lynn. Live stats as well as a video webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.tv.
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