STEVE CARPENTER
HutchCC Sports Information
Off to a 22-4 start and riding a 10-game winning streak, the Hutchinson Community College softball team is a nationally ranked team for the first time since 2018.
The Blue Dragons are ranked No. 19 in the latest NJCAA Division I Softball Rankings, which were released on Monday. One week ago, the Dragons were receiving votes. Since then the Blue Dragons swept Barton and Pratt last Friday and Saturday, respectively, to push their current win streak to 10 games.
This is the first time Hutchinson has been ranked since returning to the Division I level. Two years ago, the Blue Dragons were on the verge of a national ranking after starting the season 21-7 and sitting in first place in the Jayhawk East at the time the Covid-19 Pandemic put an abrupt end to the season.
The last time the Blue Dragons were ranked was at No. 15 in the final NJCAA Division II poll in 2018.
The Blue Dragons are 1-2 against teams ranked in the Top 20. The Blue Dragons open the only loss given to No. 6 Butler. Hutchinson and Butler split a doubleheader. The Dragons lost their only game played against No. 8 Grayson.
The Blue Dragons play host to Seward County at 2 and 4 p.m. on Friday at Fun Valley. The Dragons travel to Colby for a doubleheader on Saturday.
NJCAA DIVISION I SOFTBALL RANKINGS
Record Points Last Poll
1. Wallace State (9) 33-1 180 1
2. Yavapai 31-2 171 2
3. Florida Southwestern State 29-4 162 3
4. Seminole State 19-1 153 4
5. Odessa 25-3 144 5
6. Butler 19-1 135 6
7. McLennan 32-4 126 7
8. Chattanooga State 30-4 117 8
9. Chipola 32-4 108 10
10. Pensacola State 26-4 99 9
11. Grayson 23-5 90 12
12. Central Arizona 27-4 81 11
13. Three Rivers 17-3 72 15
14. Northwest Florida State 32-7 63 16
15. Gulf Coast State 31-9 54 13
16. College of Southern Idaho 25-6 45 19
17. San Jacinto College-South 25-10 36 14
18. Crowder 26-4 27 17
19. Hutchinson 22-4 18 RV
20. Bossier Parish 19-7 9 11
Receiving Votes: Howard (TX), Volunteer State, Eastern Arizona, Dyersburg State, Jefferson College