For the sixth straight week, Butler softball held down the top spot of the NJCAA Division I poll, which was released Tuesday.
The top-ranked Grizzlies (36-0 overall, 12-0 conference) swept Barton 10-0 and 11-1 in a pair of run-rule wins on Friday, then defeated Colby 12-1 and 11-2 on Saturday. Both doubleheaders were on the road, which extended Butler's road winning streak to a school-record 20 victories.
Butler's offense currently leads the NJCAA in runs scored per game (11.1), on-base percentage (.489), slugging percentage (.721). The Grizzlies also rank fourth in home runs (72). In pitching, Butler is second overall with a team 1.02 team earned-run average and lead the nation with 8.55 strikeouts per seven innings.
Salt Lake, UT (30-5) moved into the second spot in the rankings, ending a three-week run by Chipola, Fla. (49-4), who dropped to third. Florida Southwestern State (48-5) and Seminole State, Okla., (34-8) are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.
The only remaining undefeated team in the Division I ranks, Butler has won 74 straight games and will bring a 35-game conference winning streak into Wednesday's doubleheader against Dodge City. With two more wins, the Grizzlies can match their 38-game consecutive single-season win record, which was set last year. First pitch is 2:00 p.m. from East Park. The Grizzlies are also scheduled to host Pratt on Thursday for a conference twinbill at 2:00 p.m.
2017 NJCAA Division I Softball Rankings | |||
April 11, 2017 | |||
Rank | Team | Record | Prev |
1. | Butler | 36-0 | 1 |
2. | Salt Lake, UT | 30-5 | 3 |
3. | Chipola, FL | 49-4 | 2 |
4. | Florida Southwestern State |
48-5 | 4 |
5. | Seminole State, OK |
34-8 | 8 |
6. | Seminole State, FL | 44-5 | 6 |
7. | Central Florida |
43-10 | 7 |
8. | Yavapai, AZ | 38-5 | 10 |
9. | Odessa, TX | 30-9 | 12 |
10. | Weatherford, TX | 33-8 | 14 |
11. | Northwest Florida State | 38-12 | 15 |
12. | Midland, TX |
27-10 | 5 |
13. | Central Arizona |
38-7 | 16 |
14. | Walters State, TN | 30-4 | 17 |
15. | Wabash Valley, IL |
33-5 | 18 |
16. | Daytona State, FL |
31-15 | NR |
17. | Chattanooga State, TN |
31-7 | 11 |
18. | San Jacinto-South, TX |
34-16 | 13 |
19. | Blinn, TX | 28-12 | RV |
20. | Iowa Western | 28-8 | RV |
Other schools receiving votes: Crowder, MO (40-6); Georgia Military (35-11); Lake Land, IL (33-10); Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (25-5); Southern Idaho (25-13).
Dropped from rankings: Tyler, TX (9); Angelina, TX (19); Northern Oklahoma A&M (20).