By: COURTESY OF HUSSON SPORTS INFORMATION

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The National Fastpitch Coaches Association released its updated NFCA/GoRout Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll on Tuesday and the Husson University softball team was ranked No. 22.

The Eagles earned their first national ranking since 2024 when they were ranked 20th in back-to-back polls after entering the North Atlantic Conference tournament with a 32-4 record, in addition to hosting their second-ever NCAA Division III Regional Championship.

Husson is off to its best start since 2021 after compiling a 13-1 record in the Spring Games, which included shutout-wins over two ranked opponents, No. 11 Moravian University and No. 16 Case Western Reserve University, in addition to outscoring its opponents 72-20 over the 14 games.

Junior Ana Lang and senior Morgan Tainter picked up pitcher and player of the week respectively for the North Atlantic Conference this past week, as Lang dazzled in the circle to open her junior campaign, appearing in 10 games, making seven starts to pick up pitcher of the week honors. The right-hander tossed 53 innings over her 10 appearances, totaling a 0.53 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, a .157 batting average against, 74 strikeouts, a 6-1 record, four shutouts and posted three saves, which moved her into first all-time for most career saves in Husson softball.

Lang especially showed out in Husson's two victories over ranked teams, as against Moravian University and Case Western Reserve, Lang combined to throw 14 scoreless innings, striking out 22, while surrendering just six hits. 

Tainter was named player of the week after appearing in 12 games, making 12 starts, in Husson's 13-1 start to the season. Tainter compiled a .368 batting average, posting 14 hits in 38 at-bats, including four doubles, adding 14 RBIs, six runs scored and three walks. Tainter totaled a .889 OPS, a .474 slugging percentage and a .415 on-base percentage, while recording five multi-hit games, including two three-hit performances during the 12 games she appeared in.

The Eagles return to the field on Apr. 7 when they head to Bates College for a doubleheader, as they look to extend their six-game unbeaten streak against the Bobcats.