LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- The Tusculum University softball team moved up a spot in this week's NFCA/GoRout DII Top 25 Coaches Poll and now sit 24th. The Pioneers split a pair of doubleheaders, including a shutout run-rule of No. 8 North Georgia.
The 2025 NFCA/Go Rout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by the NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll Committee. The committee consists of 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the NCAA's eight regions.
As a team, Tusculum ranks in the top-25 in 16 statistical categories, including a DII-best 126 stolen bases. The Pioneers also sit second in triple plays (1), third in steals per game (3.00), fourth in hits (407), and fifth in runs (301). TU is also listed in batting average (8th; .350), runs batted in (8th; 261), scoring (10th; 7.17), win-loss percentage (13th; .786), triples (14th; 17), RBI per game (14th; 6.21), on-base percentage (20th; .414), slugging percentage (22nd; .511), doubles (23rd; 69), sacrifice flies (24th; 16), and triples per game (25th; .40).
Individually, Danielle Jason leads the way with six categories in which she finds herself in the top-25. The graduate student leads the country with a program-record 43 stolen bases, third in steals per game (1.02), fourth in runs (51), fifth in hits (65), 10th in runs per game (1.21), and 14th in batting average (.474). Both Brooke Smith and Megan Ackerman are named in five statistical lists. The former is third in runs (53), fifth in hits (65), sixth in runs per game (1.26),17th in batting average (.468), and 19th in steals (29). The pitcher is fifth in appearances (29), seventh in walks per seven innings (.78), eighth in victories (17), 11th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.54), and 22nd with four shutouts. Natalie Spaitis is fourth with five saves. Ellie Alvarez is 17th in runs scored (45), while Gabi Nicholson is 22nd in RBI (45).
Tusculum (33-9, 11-7 SAC) has a busy week ahead with four road series in a seven-day span. The Pioneers start the jaunt on Wednesday (Apr. 9) at Lenoir-Rhyne with a 2 p.m. first pitch.
