KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Mobile Softball program has moved to the top spot in the first regular season edition of the NAIA Softball Top 25, with the official announcement coming on Wednesday, Mar. 8 from the office of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Rams garnered 16 of the 19 first place votes after beginning the season ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Softball Top 25 Coaches' Preseason Poll.

Through the first 17 games played this season, Mobile has managed a 13-4 overall record, with every game except for the last doubleheader played earlier in the week counting towards the NAIA's first regular season poll. The Rams were swept at home on Tuesday, Mar. 7 by No. 13 Cumberlands, but did not see those games count towards this week's voting. Overall, Mobile has recorded a 6-2 record against ranked opponents this season, highlighted by a doubleheader sweep on the road over the then ranked No. 4 team Southeastern University.

On the season, the Rams have scored 82 runs in 17 games played, tallying a .285 team batting average. Additionally, Mobile is slugging .372, with an on-base percentage sitting at .364. Individually, senior Caitlin McRee is hitting .404 with a pair of home runs and leads the Rams with 14 RBIs. She has appeared in all 17 games. Freshman Erin Degruise is hitting .452 through 13 appearances, adding 11 RBIs and seven stolen bases. From the pitcher's circle, three pitchers have combined for a 3.47 team ERA, with Brinkley Goff leading the Rams with 47 strikeouts in 55 innings of work.
 

Poll Methodology

• The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences and the Continental Athletic Conference (Independents).
• The Top 25 is determined by a points system based on how each voter ranks the best teams. A team receives 30 points for each first-place vote, 29 for second-place and so on through the list.
• The highest and lowest ranking for each team (a non-rating is considered a low rating) is removed and the team's ranking will be recalculated with an additional point added to each team for every ballot (including discounted ballots) that the teams appear on.
• Teams that receive only one point on the ballot are not considered "receiving votes"
• The frequency of the polls is bi-weekly. This policy was approved by the National Administrative Council (NAC) prior to the 2016-17 academic season. This change allows raters the opportunity to consider a larger body of work between rating periods.
• For the complete Top 25 calendar, click HERE.

2023 NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll One (March 8, 2023)

Dropped from the Top 25: Jessup (Calif.), Midland (Neb.), Columbia (Mo.), Webber International (Fla.), Saint Xavier (Ill.)

Others Receiving Votes: Jessup (Calif.) 116, Truett McConnell (Ga.) 75, Oklahoma Wesleyan 73, Hope International (Calif.) 61, Midland (Neb.) 33, Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) 23, St. Francis (Ill.) 23, Bellevue (Neb.) 17, Michigan-Dearborn 17, Missouri Baptist 14, Reinhardt (Ga.) 7, Mid-America Christian (Okla.) 7, Vanguard (Calif.) 6, St. Mary of the Woods (Ind.) 3, Arizona Christian 3.

  

About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.

For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.