UT Softball Set to Open Conference Play at No. 22

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Tampa softball team is now ranked No. 22 in the latest NFCA Division II Poll that was released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association on Wednesday.

Fellow NCAA South Region foes Valdosta State (14-2) and Alabama-Huntsville (10-3) sit at No. 2 and No. 7 respectively in the poll. Sunshine State Conference member Rollins enters the rankings this week at No. 18 while South Region opponents North Alabama and Shorter are also listed as receiving votes.

With an 8-3 record, Tampa is led by the dynamic pitching of Julia Morrow. Morrow has been nearly unhittable as the senior is now a perfect 6-0 with 77 strikeouts while sporting a 0.47 ERA in 44.1 innings. She has tossed six complete games including five shutouts, a perfect game and a no-hitter while also posting one save in eight appearances in the circle for UT.

Offensively, Meagan Burke is leading the way, hitting .469 on the season with a team-high two homeruns and 10 RBI. Lindsay Dring is batting over .400 while posting a team-leading 16 hits and eight RBI each. Kandi Kuder has also contributed to the offense with 14 hits while posting a .389 batting average.

The Spartans have now been ranked for a school-record 56 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 to open conference play with Florida Tech Friday at 6 p.m. followed by a doubleheader on Saturday with the first game set for 1 p.m. Live stats as well as a video webcast will be made available through www.tampaspartans.tv.

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Click here for the complete top-25 poll