Spartans Softball Moves Up to No. 14 in Latest NFCA Poll
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Tampa softball team has moved up three spots to No. 14 in the NFCA Division II Poll that was released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association on Wednesday.
Fellow NCAA South Region foes Valdosta State (11-2) and Alabama-Huntsville (8-3) sit at No. 2 and No. 9 respectively in the poll. Sunshine State Conference member Rollins and South Region opponent North Alabama are also listed as receiving votes.
With a 6-1 record, Tampa is led by the dynamic pitching of Julia Morrow. Morrow has been nearly unhittable as the senior is now a perfect 4-0 with 52 strikeouts while sporting a 0.00 ERA in 27.1 innings and allowing only five hits. She has tossed four complete game shutouts including a perfect game and a no-hitter while also posting one save in five appearances in the circle for UT.
Offensively, Meagan Burke is leading the way, hitting .529 on the season with a team-high two homeruns along with five RBI. Bre Setree and Lindsay Dring are each batting over .450 while posting a team-leading 10 hits and six RBI each. Kandi Kuder has also contributed to the offense with nine hits while posting a .375 batting average.
The Spartans have now been ranked for a school-record 55 consecutive weeks, dating back to the 2011 season.
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.
UT returns to action this weekend with doubleheaders at Palm Beach Atlantic on Saturday and Ave Maria on Sunday. The first games of each day are scheduled to start at 12 p.m. with live stats available through www.tampa.statbroadcast.com.
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