EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Softball moved up a spot into a tie for No. 16 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association Division II Top 25 poll but remained No. 3 in the latest NCAA II Midwest Region rankings.
Â
The Screaming Eagles (36-10, 22-2 GLVC) are scheduled to close out the regular-season this weekend with Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheaders at the University of Missouri-St. Louis Saturday at noon and Lindenwood University Sunday at noon.
Â
USI, which needs one win this weekend to set the program record for conference victories in a single season, is looking to clinch the top seed in next week’s GLVC Tournament. The Eagles lead No. 2 University of Indianapolis (41-5, 21-3 GLVC) by a game and Lindenwood (33-7, 20-4 GLVC) by two games in the conference standings. Indianapolis and Lindenwood also are scheduled to play each other in a doubleheader on Saturday.
Â
All four games this weekend will be carried on the GLVC Sports Network and on 95.7 The Spin. Live stats, audio and video links can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.
Â
USI Softball Notes
• Eagles match single-season record. USI Softball matched the single-season program record for conference wins by picking up its 22nd GLVC victory. USI was 22-6 in 1998 and 2015 and went 21-9 in 2016. This season marks the fourth time in program history the Eagles have reached the 20-win plateau in league play.
• Eagles remain third in region rankings. USI held its spot at No. 3 in the latest NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings. The top seven teams remained unchanged with Indianapolis and Grand Valley State (2nd) holding the top two spots and Drury (4th) and Lindenwood (5th) rounding out the top five. Ohio Dominican (6th) and Findlay (7th) also held their ground, while Northwood debuted in this week’s rankings at No. 8. Illinois Springfield stayed put at No. 9, while Missouri-St. Louis slipped two spots to No. 10.
Â
• USI moves up on spot in NFCA Top 25. The Eagles moved into a tie at No. 16 in the latest NFCA Division II Top 25 poll. Indianapolis moved up one spot to No. 2, while Grand Valley State jumped three spots to No. 21.
Â
• Seniors honored. USI honored its six seniors—pitcher/designated player Katie Back (Indianapolis, Indiana), third baseman Mary Bean (Schaumburg, Illinois), pitcher Elissa Brown (Brownsburg, Indiana), outfielder Mikaela Domico (Naperville, Illinois), pitcher Maddie Duncan (Lynnville, Indiana) and catcher Courtney Schoolcraft (Crest Hill, Illinois)—following Sunday’s doubleheader sweep of Missouri S&T. This group has helped USI to a 102-56 overall record and a 54-24 mark in GLVC play during the last four years.
