Butler softball leading NJCAA D-I poll for sixth straight week

Butler softball leading NJCAA D-I poll for sixth straight week

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).