NFCA Release |
FPN Release
Bronx, N.Y. -- The Fordham softball team has received six votes in the latest
USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Poll, it was announced on Tuesday morning. The Rams are tied with Oregon State for 33rd in the country according to the poll, voted on by 32 NCAA Division I head coaches, one representing each conference. Fordham had received 10 votes in the week one poll, the first time since the 2012 preseason poll, but had dropped out a week later. The Rams jumped back in with a 5-0 weekend at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Invitational, hosted by North Carolina State. Junior
Madison Shaw was a big part of the tournament sweep and deservedly earned Atlantic 10 and national recognition.
The Rams garnered 10 votes in the initial regular season poll three weeks ago after beginning their season 4-1 at the Hillenbrand Invitational in Tucson, Ariz. Fordham opened its season by defeating the #21 Baylor Bears, before losing to the hosting #10 Wildcats later that night. They then picked up wins over Tulsa and Northwestern, each receiving votes in the preseason poll, and CSUN. Fordham fell out of the poll the following week with a 3-2 showing at the Pirate Clash, but have rattled off eight wins in the team's last nine, with the lone loss coming against #3 Florida in the first game of the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic I.
This past weekend, the Rams swept the N.C. State Invitational, defeating Lehigh once and both Rutgers and the Wolfpack twice each, three wins coming via run-rule.
Madison Shaw earned her second Atlantic 10 Player of the Week honor and first national honor, by Fastpitch News, for slashing .538/.588/1.538 with four home runs and 17 RBI in just 16 plate appearances. The junior was hitless in two at bats against Lehigh in the weekend opener but rebounded by going 7-for-11 with two grand slams, a three-run shot, plus a RBI single and RBI double. Three of her hits proved to be the go-ahead runs. Sophomore
Jessica Hughes and senior
Lindsay Mayer each batted .500 or better with two home runs apiece. The former added a team-high 10 runs and seven walks, plus four steals in as many attempts. Freshman
Madison Aughinbaugh garnered her second straight A-10 Rookie of the Week nod for picking up two wins with a 1.56 ERA in one start and three relief appearances.
The Rams finish up their preseason tournament schedule with the Florida Atlantic Tournament this weekend, stretch from Friday, March 10, to next Tuesday, March 14.
