Softball ranked 25th in latest NFCA Top 25 poll

The Muskingum softball team was ranked 25th in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll that was announced on Wednesday. Muskingum had received votes in the previous three polls that were released. The NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll is selected by Division III head coaches representing the eight NCAA regions.

The Muskies are currently 16-4 overall with a 2-0 slate in the Ohio Athletic Conference. As a team, Muskingum is batting .360 and averaging 10.7 hits, and 6.8 runs per game.

Senior Krissy Hughes is batting .563 with two home runs, three triples, 14 doubles, 13 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases. Last week, Hughes broke the Muskingum season and career stolen base records. She now has 22 stolen bases on the season and 66 for her career. 

Freshman Haley Hawk is batting .472 with a team-best 22 RBIs off of 25 hits. Sophomore Karsyn Shaffer is batting .418 with 13 RBIs and 11 stolen bases, while sophomore Jaelyn Meade is hitting .407 with a team-best five home runs and 15 RBIs. Sophomore Riley Powers is batting .328 with five doubles and 17 RBIs. 

The Muskie pitching staff sports a 3.46 ERA and is holding hitters to a .267 batting average. Freshman Hannah Smith guides the staff with an overall 6-1 record and a 2.31 ERA. Senior Rachel Eberling carries a 7-2 mark, and sophomore Hannah Duff has a 2.52 ERA with a team-best 30 strikeouts. Eberling is also batting .323 with 15 RBIs, three home runs, and six doubles. 

Muskingum next plays at Denison on Wednesday, March 27. Start time is slated for 3:30 p.m.