KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Campbellsville University Lady Tigers have smashed their way into the national conversation. Following an absolute tear through their recent schedule, the Lady Tigers earned five points in the fourth NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, announced by the national office on Wednesday.
The national recognition comes as no surprise for a Campbellsville squad (23-13, 8-4 MSC) that has evolved into one of the most dangerous teams in the country. The Lady Tigers are currently riding a massive 11-game winning streak, dismantling opponents during a dominant stretch that included recent statement sweeps over Johnson University, Bethel University, and Union Commonwealth University.
Head Coach
Shannon Wathen's lineup has been an absolute nightmare for opposing pitchers, boasting a .306 team batting average and a .470 slugging percentage. The offensive firepower is vast and deep, having already produced 221 runs on 292 hits. Campbellsville constantly pressures the gaps and the fences, tallying 98 extra-base hits on the year, including 66 doubles and 26 home runs.
At the top of the scouting report sits outfielder
Macy McCoy, who is hitting a blistering .405 on the year with a .510 on-base percentage, perfectly setting the table alongside infielder
Korey Harris (.387 AVG, 33 hits). When the bases are crowded, first baseman
Jessie Daniels has provided the elite power to clear them. Daniels paces the team with seven home runs and 31 RBIs, consistently delivering clutch, game-altering swings in the middle of the order. Meanwhile, hitters like reigning Mid-South Conference Player of the Week
Lydia Jones (.340 AVG, 15 RBI) and
Hannah Hackworth (.302 AVG, 5 HR) ensure there are zero easy outs in the Campbellsville batting order.
While the offense has grabbed the flashy headlines, the pitching staff has been equally vital to the 11-game surge. The dynamic trio of
Emma Markham,
Leah Holland, and
Ellie Coley has systematically shut down opposing lineups, helping the team compile nine combined shutouts this season. Markham has been the veteran workhorse, tossing a team-high 76.2 innings with 66 strikeouts and a 3.10 ERA to secure seven wins. Holland has provided a dominant counter-punch in the rotation, boasting an elite 2.43 ERA and a 7-2 record over 69.0 innings. Coley (5-3, 3.71 ERA) has continued to be highly effective and versatile, shutting the door on opponents in both starting and relief capacities.
As Oregon Tech, Oklahoma City, and Madonna (Mich.) hold the top spots in the nation, the Lady Tigers have proven they possess the offensive firepower, pitching depth, and unyielding momentum to compete with anyone.
| TREND |
RANK |
LAST TIME |
INSTITUTION [FIRST-PLACE VOTES] |
RECORD |
POINTS |
| ● |
1 |
1 |
Oregon Tech [11] |
36-4 |
493 |
| ● |
2 |
T-2 |
Oklahoma City [4] |
37-3 |
487 |
| ▼ |
3 |
T-2 |
Madonna (Mich.) [1] |
35-3 |
476 |
| ▲ |
4 |
6 |
Southeastern (Fla.) [2] |
36-4 |
454 |
| ▼ |
5 |
4 |
Eastern Oregon [1] |
32-6 |
426 |
| ▼ |
6 |
5 |
Southern Oregon |
29-11 |
406 |
| ▲ |
7 |
8 |
Science and Arts (Okla.) |
37-7 |
388 |
| ▲ |
8 |
10 |
Missouri Baptist |
30-7 |
387 |
| ▼ |
9 |
7 |
Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) |
30-7 |
385 |
| ▼ |
10 |
9 |
Keiser (Fla.) |
38-4 |
378 |
| ● |
11 |
T-11 |
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) |
31-5 |
345 |
| ▲ |
12 |
14 |
Mobile (Ala.) |
27-10 |
302 |
| ▲ |
13 |
16 |
William Carey (Miss.) |
30-9 |
298 |
| ▼ |
14 |
13 |
Evangel (Mo.) |
34-8 |
259 |
| ▲ |
15 |
17 |
Grand View (Iowa) |
24-12 |
222 |
| ▲ |
16 |
24 |
LSU Alexandria (La.) |
24-14 |
204 |
| ▲ |
17 |
18 |
Central Methodist (Mo.) |
27-12 |
187 |
| ▲ |
18 |
20 |
Cumberlands (Ky.) |
27-13 |
181 |
| ▲ |
19 |
23 |
Coastal Georgia |
32-8 |
180 |
| ▼ |
20 |
T-11 |
Marian (Ind.) |
24-11 |
172 |
| ● |
21 |
21 |
Texas A&M University – Texarkana |
29-12 |
147 |
| ▼ |
22 |
15 |
St. Thomas (Fla.) |
24-16 |
116 |
| ▲ |
23 |
RV |
Saint Xavier (Ill.) |
29-9 |
114 |
| ▼ |
24 |
22 |
Midland (Neb.) |
28-10 |
111 |
| ▼ |
25 |
19 |
Tennessee Southern |
25-11 |
106 |
| Dropped from Top 25: Benedictine (Kan.) |
| Receiving Votes: Indiana Wesleyan 91; College of Idaho 78; Faulkner (Ala.) 70; Benedictine (Kan.) 57; Saint Francis (Ind.) 46; Hope International(Calif.) 40; British Columbia 26; Northwestern (Iowa) 24; Dordt (Iowa) 22; Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) 17; Arizona Christian 15; Georgia Gwinnett 12; Indiana Tech 12; Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.) 9; Cumberland (Tenn.) 8; Reinhardt (Ga.) 8; St. Francis (Ill.) 8; Ottawa (Kan.) 6; Campbellsville (Ky.) 5; Avila (Mo.) 3; Oklahoma Wesleyan 3; Cottey (Mo.) 2 |
