Mar 07, 2023

⚾ Dragon SB up to 18th in latest poll

Posted Mar 07, 2023 10:33 AM

HutchCC Sports Information

After a 5-1 week and two scintillating games in a national matchup on Saturday with its conference rival, the Hutchinson Community College softball team moved up two spots to 18th in the latest NJCAA Division I Softball Rankings of the season on Monday.

The Blue Dragons swept the Sterling College JV in a pair of run-rule games (12-0, 12-4), swept Colby in the KJCCC opener (9-1, 5-1) and split with the Butler Grizzles, which moved from No. 18 to No. 15 this week.

Aspen Goetz hit a walk-off two-run home run to help Hutchinson defeat Butler 5-4 in Game 1 on Saturday at Fun Valley. The Grizzlies took the second game 6-5 in 10 innings.

The Blue Dragons are now 15-4 overall and 3-1 in the Jayhawk Conference.

Hutchinson is scheduled to play Dodge City on Wednesday at Fun Valley and will travel to Great Bend to play Barton on Saturday.

The Blue Dragons have been ranked in nine consecutive polls dating back to last season.

Grayson remains the No. 1 team in the rankings. Northwest Florida State is no. 2 and Florida SouthWestern is No. 3.

Former Dragon opponents who are ranked are: Murray State, still No. 1 in Division II, Weatherford, receiving votes in Division I and Butler at No. 15.

NJCAA DIVISION I SOFTBALL RANKINGS

                                                                Record      Points       Last Poll

1. Grayson (8)                                    19-3           160            1

2. Northwest Florida State            30-2           133            2

3. Florida SouthWestern               17-3           126            3

4. Odessa                                            18-3           119            5

5. Wallace State                                15-3           112            4

6. Walters State                                16-0           105            6

7. McLennan                                      17-5           98               7

8. Central Florida                              25-5           91               9

9. Seminole State (OK)                   12-2           84               8

10. Chattanooga State                    12-3           77               10

11. Lake Land                                     12-4           70               14

12. Southern Idaho                          10-5           63               13

13. Galveston                                    19-3           56               18

14. Seminole State (FL)                  22-6           49               11

15. Butler                                            11-5           42               17

16. San Jacinto                                  14-8           35               12

17. Indian Hills                                   5-3             28               15

18. Hutchinson                                 15-4           21               20

19. Volunteer State                         9-3             14               24

20. Indian River                                 22-7           2                 22     

Receiving Votes: Weatherford, Utah State Eastern, Salt Lake, Pensacola State, Crowder