DePauw softball ranked number one

DePauw pitcher Megan Soultz is one of the main reason's the Tigers are ranked No. 1 in the country for the first time in the program's history. Soultz is 29-1 with a 0.78 ERA. (Photo courtesy of DePauw University)

The 33-1 DePauw softball team has earned the programs' first number one national ranking in this week's National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Top 25 Poll.

The Tigers have been ranked third in each of the last three polls and no lower than eighth all year. This week DePauw picked up 190 points and four of a possible eight first-place votes. Louisiana College was second with 189 points and three first-place vote, while the University of Texas-Tyler was third with 184 points.

After dropping a 4-2 decision at Emory in the opening game of the season, DePauw has reeled off 33 straight wins including all eight in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference East Division play.

Led by Megan Soultz's 29-1 record and 0.78 earned run average the Tigers currently lead Division III in ERA and are fourth with a .977 fielding percentage.

Over the last three seasons, Bonnie Skrenta's teams have compiled a 101-18 record including last year's fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championship.

DePauw returns to action on Friday, April 25, when it opens SCAC tournament play. Centre College hosts the three-day double elimination tournament.

SOULTZ NAMED PITCHER OF WEEK

DePauw sophomore pitcher Megan Soultz was named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week for her performances in last week's four-game sweep of Millsaps. The honor was her fifth this season and seventh in her career.

Soultz went 4-0 for the week, allowing just 13 hits and four earned runs in 22.0 innings for a 1.27 earned run average. She struck out 19 and walked just two.

Soultz, who leads the SCAC in all pitching categories, is now 29-1 on the season with an ERA of 0.78 in 188.1 innings of work. She has struck out 200 batters and opponents are batting just .168 against her.

With at least the SCAC Championships to be played, Soultz's win total of 29 has already shattered the former SCAC single-season mark (20) as has her 200 strikeouts, which is 38 more than the former mark (162).

DePauw's next action is scheduled for Friday, April 25 when it competes in the SCAC Tournament in Danville, Ky.