LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Trine University softball team will open the 2023 season ranked second in the nation after taking the spot in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Thunder ended last season with a second-place finish at the 2022 NCAA Division III Softball Championship and in the last edition of the NFCA Coaches Poll. Topping the preseason poll is reigning national champion Christopher Newport.
Trine faced off with the Captains in the championship series to end last season. Entering the best of two competition on a 20-game win streak the Thunder held a lead in the middle portion of the first game, but ultimately fell in two straight to finish as runners-up.
During their road to the final series the team faced four teams that also open the season featured in the poll. Trine swept Case Western University, ranked 11th in the poll this season, in the super regional round. The team's undefeated road through the final eight included wins over No. 17 Eastern Connecticut State University, No. 5 Berry College, and No. 3 Salisbury University.
After a tough start to 2022, Trine finished the season winning 20 of their final 22 games to post a 35-13 overall record. It was the 12th time the program has surpassed the 30-win mark since joining the NCAA in 2005. In addition to the team's first appearance in the championship and first national runner-up finish, the season marked their fourth super-regional championship, fifth regional championship and 11th MIAA Championship.
The full preseason poll can be viewed as a part of the NFCA's release.