Anchorwomen Sail to No. 14 in NFCA Poll

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Riding the momentum of the program’s longest consecutive win streak, the Rhode Island College softball team climbed three spots to No. 14 in the latest edition of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 national poll. The Anchorwomen swept a doubleheader from Little East Conference foe UMass Boston on April 14 to raise their win streak to 17 games.

            Under the direction of Head Coach Maria Morin, Rhode Island College has appeared in all eight polls released by the NFCA this season, earning the program’s previous highest national ranking at No. 17 on April 11. Last season, the Anchorwomen were ranked 18th in the final national publication.

            Rhode Island College is among the national leaders in several individual statistical categories. Senior pitcher Nicole Riley (North Providence, RI) established a new NCAA Division III benchmark for consecutive wins with 40, putting an additional five victories between the previous record holder Janet Nagle (35) of St. Thomas (Minn.). She has also matched the NCCA Division II standard, set by Kim Maguire of Bloomsburg in 1993. Riley is second in the nation in earned run average (0.41), while ranking third in victories (17), and 15th in strikeouts per seven innings (8.2). The senior right-hander has allowed just six earned runs in 103 and two-thirds innings, while registering 122 strikeouts. Riley has thrown a complete game in 12 of her 15 starts, posting eight shutouts and a perfect game.

            Junior first baseman Christie Lotti (Waterford, Conn.) is ranked 11th in Division III in triples per game (6, 0.25). In just three short campaigns, Lotti has set the program’s all-time record for triples with 23, shattering the previous record by 11. She paces the Rhode Island College attack in hits (29), doubles (8), triples (6), home runs (2), and RBIs (17), while ranking second in batting average (.459). 

            Rhode Island College returns to action this afternoon at 3 p.m., when the Anchorwomen travel to MASCAC conference leader Westfield State College (14-7).