View the entire Division III Preseason Top 25 poll 


Defending national champion St. Thomas received all eight first place votes to rank No. 1 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Preseason Top 25 poll. 

The Tommies return all three pitchers, including NFCA All-American and Division III Player of the Year Janet Nagle, along with top hitters Michelle Wong, Nikki Conway and Kristi Huegel from last year’s squad that won a record 41-straight games en route to claiming the national title in Salem, Va. 

Last year’s runner-up, Moravian, begins the 2005 campaign ranked second along with last year’s third-ranked team, Salisbury. Byrne’s Moravian squad finished 40-6 last season and return all-American Meagan Hennessy to the circle to compliment a potent offensive attack that includes Heather Bortz and Lauren Homa. 

Salisbury lost power-hitting Rosie Aley, but Margie Knight’s squad has a potent attack coming back for the 2005 campaign with Kim Rementer and Erin Ruest leading the charge. The team also welcomes back Lacey Lister to the circle after she compiled a 31-4 mark and a 0.66 ERA last season. 

Muskingum and Chapman, a pair of national championship tournament participants a year ago, kick off 2005 tied for fourth. The Muskies finished 43-7 a year ago and return 37-game winner Erica Hoyt to the circle. Chapman returns eight position players from last year’s potent offense, including Meredith Cipolla, who hit .354 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs a year ago. 

Ithaca jumped up to the top 10 to begin 2005, placing sixth after finishing the 2004 campaign ranked in the 17th position. Augustana moved from 15th to No. 8, while Washington (St. Louis jumped from No. 16 in 2004 to No. 9. Linfield held on to its No. 10 spot from the final 2004 poll to round out the top 10, 

Cortland State, another team that advanced to Salem a year ago, dropped three spots to No. 11. Julie Lenhart’s squad loses seven position players but return Stephanie Adamshick, who amassed a 23-4 mark with a 1.02 ERA in the circle. Central College begins the season at No. 12, while Roanoke comes in at No. 13. 

Alma College, last year’s No. 6 team, begins the season at No. 14. The Scots lost eight players from last year’s regional-winning squad, but they return a pair of outstanding pitchers in Melissa Tavidian and Leigh Ann LaFave who combined to win 32 games a year ago. 

The University of Chicago enters the season at No. 15, followed by newcomers Rutgers Camden and Allegheny. Williams College and Cal State Hayward come in a 18th and 19th, respectively, while Methodist rounds out the top 20. 

The final five ranked teams are No. 21 William Paterson, No. 22 Wartburg, No. 23 Oneonta State, No. 24 East Texas Baptist and No. 25 Smith College.