Marietta softball voted No. 13 in latest NFCA poll
Despite a 5-5 record since the last poll, Pioneers only fall to No. 13

Apr. 26, 2006
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta College softball team, which is having its best season in school history, moved down two spots to No. 13 in the most recent National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III poll. The third regular season NFCA poll was released Wednesday (Apr. 26) afternoon.

The Pioneers, who went 5-5 since the last poll was released, are now 28-8 overall. They are also 11-5 and in second place in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Marietta closes out OAC play on Saturday (Apr. 29), when Capital comes to town for a doubleheader at 1 p.m.

St. Thomas (Minn.) (31-1), the 2005 NCAA champion, remained in first place and received all eight first place votes. Ithaca (N.Y.) (30-2) jumped from third to second in the poll and Muskingum (31-3) moved up from fifth to third. Rutgers-Camden (28-4) was ranked fourth, and Louisiana College (34-5) was fifth.

Marietta has set a new single-season record for victories (28) this season and is looking to lock up its second straight OAC Tournament appearance. A berth may be clinched this afternoon, depending on the outcome of the league games scheduled throughout the state.

Muskingum has locked up the 2006 OAC regular season title and will host the Conference Tournament May 5-6 in New Concord. The Muskies has won the Conference Tournament every year since 1998. Capital was the last team, other than Muskingum, to win it; the Crusaders won in 1997.

The Pioneers were supposed to host Rio Grande in a non league doubleheader Wednesday (Apr. 26), but Rio Grande had to cancel in order to make-up a league game. Instead, Marietta will host Ohio Valley (W.Va.) in a twinbill Thursday (Apr. 27) at 4 p.m.