INDIANAPOLIS – History has shown it is very difficult, in general, to break into the National Fastpitches Coaches Association (NFCA) Top-25 Poll for Division II softball.
But Trevecca Nazarene became just the second program from the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in the league's history to do just that this week, recognized among the country’s best with a national ranking of No. 19. Cedarville was previously ranked 19th in 2019 and 24th during the spring of 2014.
The Trojans are red hot following an 8-0 start and have received Great Midwest Player of the Week honors for the first two selections of the spring (MaKray Odom, Anna Bennett).
The league has had recognition from the NFCA, including three national player of the week selections in 2019 with Bailey Byers (Malone), Kelly Mix (Ohio Dominican) and Mary Collins (Trevecca Nazarene), all earning those honors.
TNU’s former star pitcher Haley Fagan was the NFCA National Pitcher of the Week in 2016 and Cedarville’s Brianne O’Dell was an All-American by the organization in 2017 while also receiving national player of the week status.
The Trojans already have four Midwest Region victories under their belt with wins vs. Missouri S&T and Davenport. TNU also went on the road to defeat No. 18 Alabama-Huntsville in a Saturday doubleheader.
Also at the UAH Invitational, the Trojans opened the spring by beating Christian Brothers and West Georgia.
TNU has burst out of the gates hitting .422, second in Division II only behind Lincoln (Mo.). Two-time Great Midwest Player of the Year MaKray Odom was designated on the NFCA Top 50 Player of the Year Watch List.
Odom, Bennett and freshman Emilee Bundy and sophomore Lenna Robinson, are all batting over .500. Megan Groves already has 13 RBI in eight games and another freshman, Carly Sperlich, already has eight extra-base hits with seven doubles and a homer.
Five different pitchers for the Trojans have locked in a winning decision already, including Week 1 Pitcher of the Week Sidney Brake, also a freshman.
Trevecca Nazarene is coached by Ben Tyree and the Trojans were picked second in the Great Midwest Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Trojans have a big-time matchup on the docket on Friday, facing new No. 1 ranked Young Harris for a doubleheader.