Tampa Drops to No. 13 in Newest Softball Rankings
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Tampa softball team is now ranked No. 13 in the NFCA Division II poll that was released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) on Wednesday.
The Spartans, who have been ranked all season, fell six spots from its No. 7 listing last week. The NCAA South Region is heavily represented in the poll, led by Valdosta State at No. 3. Fellow Sunshine State Conference foe Rollins is No. 7 as West Alabama (21) and North Alabama (23) also fall in the top-25. Last weekend's opponent, Barry, is listed as receiving votes.
Tampa now stands at 19-8 on the season and owns a 7-5 Sunshine State Conference record. While outhitting its opponents, UT's pitching has been stellar with Kayla Cox leading the way. Cox is now 14-4 on the year with a 0.55 ERA. In 127.1 innings, she has amassed 215 strikeouts while hurling five no-hitters. Julia Morrow has followed suit with a 5-4 record and 2.36 ERA.
Sophomore Meagan Burke and Kayleen Boatwright are both hitting over .300, with Stacy Piagno driving in a team-leading 19 runs.
Among NCAA leaders, Tampa is fifth in the nation with a 1.09 team ERA.
Cox is the national leader in hits per seven innings (2.58) and shutouts (9) while she is second in ERA and strikeouts (215). She is also third in strikeouts per seven innings (11.8), eighth in wins (14) and 13th in saves (2). Morrow is 13th in strikeouts per seven innings (9.1).
The Spartans have now been ranked for a school-record 32 consecutive weeks after ending the 2012 season at No. 12. Tampa is nearing its best ranking ever, as UT was No. 4 in 2002.
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 hosts Sunshine State Conference rival Florida Southern College, beginning on Thursday at 6 p.m. The series will then commence following a Friday doubleheader that starts at 3 p.m., at Naimoli Family Field. Live stats and a webcast will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.