North Georgia is formally a DII softball powerhouse, and fairly arguably, the DII softball powerhouse of the previous decade. The Nighthawks claimed their second nationwide championship since 2015 over Grand Valley State and end the season atop the polls, together with our personal Energy 10 rankings.
Earlier than we get into these last Energy 10 rankings, you will need to do not forget that punching your ticket to Chattanooga, Tennessee for the finals would not assure a top-8 end. The ultimate Energy 10 rankings are extra of a composite of the total season, and leaving groups like Tampa and UIndy out of this dialog as a result of they did not make the ultimate eight appears foolish.
2023 CHAMPS: North Georgia wins No. 2 | Bracket
As an alternative, these rankings use a few of the metrics the choice committee makes use of come match time, in addition to total document, statistical rankings and some different key items. Principally, be ready to disagree.
The ultimate DII softball Energy 10 rankings of 2023
1. North Georgia. The simplest decide on the checklist. The Nighthawks swept an excellent Grand Valley State crew to win its second nationwide championship up to now eight tournaments (9 years, together with the shortened COVID-19 season). The Nighthawks have made the ultimate eight a number of instances over that span, together with journeys the previous three years in a row. Simply one in all their on a regular basis place gamers was a senior, and nobody on the pitching workers is listed increased than a junior. Let’s go forward and pencil them in as contenders for the primary repeat championship of the 2000s. Sophie Mooney did nearly all the pieces for the Nighthawks, main the crew in hitting with a .442 common, 15 doubles, 11 dwelling runs and 71 RBI whereas going 10-2 within the circle with a 2.30 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, a team-high three saves, and 88 strikeouts in 90 innings pitched.
2. UT Tyler. I do know Lakers followers are going to be offended since GVSU out-dueled the Patriots within the DII softball championship finals, however one sport would not make a season. UT Tyler was 62-6 this 12 months and has gained 111 video games up to now two seasons as a DII softball tournament-eligible program (the Patriots had been transitioning from Division III). Each seasons ended within the finals, and now they give the impression of being to the following step — and that’s successful all of it. The Patriots gained 37 video games in a row previous to that loss to GVSU and had been completely dominant proper as much as the semifinals. This crew might hit for common, had loads of pop, and was so good within the circle (a mixed 1.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP) the place they had been led by Tatum Goff, who was DII pitcher of the 12 months with a history-making 41-game successful streak throughout the season.
3. Grand Valley State. Heading into the match, I stated the Lakers had been essentially the most harmful crew within the subject as a result of they’d the 2 finest gamers on all sides of the ball remaining. Lydia Goble, who’s a Lakers hitting legend, had three multi-hit video games in Chattanooga, whereas Hannah Beatus was so good within the circle. She might have completed her season within the loss column, however it would not take away from the 12 months that was, the place she went 30-3 with a 0.91 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 225 strikeouts in 206.2 innings pitched. When you consider the groups the Lakers beat to get to the ultimate sequence (Midwest No. 1 UIndy, DII softball finals No. 1 UT Tyler, and a Central Oklahoma crew ranked No. 4 within the nation heading into the finals) it proves why they’re ranked so extremely.
HISTORIC SATURDAY: Being available at Day 3, a day of firsts on the DII softball championship
4. Central Oklahoma. The Bronchos had one other very sturdy season, as a result of it looks as if that is simply what the Bronchos do. They swept via the MIAA match, taking down defending champion Rogers State there, then swept via their regional earlier than taking two of three from Southern Arkansas. As soon as in Chattanooga, they made it to the semifinals, the place their solely two losses had been to the eventual nationwide champion and nationwide runner-up. I am going to go forward and say it proper now: If freshman Emily Deramus is again on this lineup subsequent season, we’re wanting on the potential participant of the 12 months. She was not solely spectacular all 12 months however shined on the large stage of Chattanooga with a pair massive hits as nicely.
5. Tampa. If Lakers followers had been mad at me for his or her rating, Sharks followers are going to be livid about this one. However once more, these are encapsulating (or a minimum of attempting to) the total season. Tampa completed the 12 months 44-5 and entered the tremendous regionals because the No. 1 crew within the land behind the highest RPI in DII softball. They fell to Nova Southeastern in a wild South Area that went the gap, and each victory got here in shutout style. Mariah Galhouse was so sturdy this season (14-4, three saves, 1.38 ERA with a .319 batting common and 14 further base hits on the plate) however freshman Gwen McGinnis (12-0, three saves, 0.81 ERA) is the long run for Tampa within the circle. Search for the Spartans to be again within the combine in 2024.
6. East Stroudsburg. As head coach Jaime Wohlbach stated on Day 3 on the match, “we’re Warriors, that is what we do.” East Stroudsburg had a magically historic season, recording essentially the most wins in a single season (44) and its first journey to the DII softball finals. Win No. 44 was additionally historic, a memorable pitchers’ duel that picked up the Warriors’ first-ever win within the last subject of eight. Paige Zigmund (who was dominant in that historic win) and Leigh Ann Jenkins had been so sturdy within the circle all season lengthy. With Jenkins in her graduate season, Zigmund would be the ace and you’ll go forward and pencil her in as a candidate for nationwide pitcher of the 12 months in 2024.
7. Nova Southeastern. Okay, listed here are the Sharks. And what a season it was. The Sharks had been a .500 crew simply two seasons in the past and proceed to enhance — this 12 months rising their win whole by 5 video games and reaching the DII softball championship finals for the primary time in program historical past. Head coach Julie LeMaire is constructing a strong basis and if they’ll get a few of these items again — like ace Alyssa Drogemuller — they’re in nice form for subsequent season. In fact, the Sharks play in a convention that has the likes of Tampa and Saint Leo, which makes it all of the extra spectacular how far they went this season.
8. UIndy. The Greyhounds had been one other crew that was so sturdy till they bumped into the buzzsaw that was Grand Valley State. Each video games within the tremendous regionals had been tightly contested, however that’s the place UIndy’s season ended. A 53-10 document is nothing to scoff at and reveals how sturdy this crew was from begin to end. Because it appears is all the time the case, UIndy made its residing within the circle the place junior Kenzee Smith (34-6, 4 saves, 1.27 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 246 strikeouts) and sophomore Jayden Casebolt (10-3, 1.98 ERA, 0.93 WHIP) led the cost. If each are again for the Greyhounds in 2024, they appear just like the crew to beat.
HISTORY: Applications with essentially the most DII softball titles
9. West Texas A&M. The Buffs had been so sturdy all season lengthy, and confirmed that by defeating an excellent, top-10 Colorado Christian crew twice to achieve the tremendous regionals. There, they fell to UT Tyler, however it would not diminish one factor about this 50-win season. Ruby Salzman had one other unbelievable season main this lineup, ending with a .391 common, 16 doubles and 23 dwelling runs, bringing her profession whole to 70 as one of many steadiest sluggers in latest DII historical past. Whereas the Buffs might lose some within the circle, there may be loads returning that’s going to make this crew — which has gained all of it twice up to now decade — very scary in 2024.
10 (tie). Wilmington (DE), Cal State San Marcos. There was a case for each Concordia (CA) and Colorado Christian to take this last spot, however I gave the DII softball championship newbies the sting to share the ultimate spot. For the Wildcats, they’d a historic season and needed to beat an Adelphi crew that had a few of the finest pitching in DII softball. Getting into the match, I stated the Cougars had been essentially the most harmful six seed they usually proved why, successful upset over upset, sweeping West Area No. 1 Concordia, after which selecting up this system’s first win within the finals. With each Jayline Sloss and Savannah Cole anticipated again within the circle, this crew will not be a six seed subsequent 12 months.
First 5 (ish) out (in alphabetical order)
- Adelphi
- UAH
- Colorado Christian
- Concordia (CA)
- Saint Leo/ Wingate