LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Trine University softball team jumped four places into a tie for sixth in this week's edition of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 poll.
The Thunder came in a tie for the sixth spot with Illinois Wesleyan University, both finishing with 149 points. Virginia Wesleyan continued their reign atop the rankings, once again unanimously.
Trine finished the week perfect sweeping both Albion College on Wednesday, April 17 and Calvin College on Monday, April 22. The four wins put the team in sole control of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) regular season title.
The Thunder broke out of a tie for first in the MIAA by with their sweep of Calvin. Both games featured strong pitching performances from the team's staff. Both senior Kate Saupe (Farwell, Mich. / Farwell) and junior Hannah Kampmann (St. Paul, Minn. / Cretin Derham Hall) picked up wins. Saupe leads the MIAA with a 1.12 ERA with Kampmann coming in second with 1.81 ERA.
Trine continues to boast a potent offense as well, ranking top ten nationally in the categories of slugging percentage (.571), home runs per game (1.10) and doubles per game (2.27).
The team will look to sew up the MIAA regular season title with a win later today, April 24 against Hope College. The doubleheader is set to start at 3 p.m.