April 18, 2007

Indianapolis, Ind. - Having one of its best seasons in 15 years, the Mercyhurst softball team climbed into the NCAA Regional Top 10 rankings Wednesday, placing seventh in the Great Lakes Region. The Lakers entered the list for the first time this year after winning nine of their last 11 contests.

Mercyhurst is 17-14 overall and 16-12 against NCAA Division II schools. The Lakers also have a 10-5 mark against in-region opponents. Picked to finish tied for ninth in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll, Mercyhurst currently sits tied for second with a 7-3 conference mark.

Lewis ranks No. 1 in the region, followed by Southern Illinois Edwardsville and Ashland. Wayne State is No. 4 and Northern Kentucky and Grand Valley State follow. After Mercyhurst, Ferris State is eighth, while Indianapolis and Missouri-Rolla round out the top 10.

The top eight teams in each region will advance to the NCAA Playoffs. The selections will be released Sunday, May 6 and regional play will take place with an eight-team double elimination tournament May 10-14.

Mercyhurst was 8-12 before catching fire and climbing over .500. The Lakers have not finished a year above that mark since 1991, but the team has been led by a versatile list of players. Kim Griffin and Megan Houston have each been named GLIAC Player of the Week once, while Jen Feret was named GLIAC Pitcher of the Week during the past week. Feret ranks second in the country in home runs per game and sixth in RBI per game, while also leading the team in ERA and strikeouts in the circle. She has already shattered the school record for homers in a season, posting 14 this year.

GREAT LAKES REGION TOP 10

Rank (Div. II Record)
1 - Lewis (26-7)
2 - Southern Illinois Edwardsville (30-7)
3 - Ashland (23-10)
4 - Wayne State (22-11)
5 - Northern Kentucky (20-18)
6 - Grand Valley State (22-8)
7 - Mercyhurst (16-12)
8 - Ferris State (16-9)
9 - Indianapolis (19-13)
10 - Missouri-Rolla (20-9)