The Muskingum softball team was ranked 24th in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 Poll that was released on Tuesday. The NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll is selected by 10 NCAA Division III head coaches representing the 10 NCAA regions.

The Muskies are off to a 6-2 start this season including a top 25 win over 23rd-ranked College of Saint Benedict. As a team, Muskingum is batting .308 and averaging 8.3 hits, and 5.1 runs per game.

Muskingum is paced at the plate by Sophomore Taylor Gallentine, who is batting .476 with a team-best 10 hits. Juniors Sarah Piteo and Claire Warschauer are both batting .389 with four RBIs apiece. Warschauer also leads the team with three stolen bases. Senior Cristianna Boggs is batting .364 with eight hits and four RBIs, while senior Katie Osburn is batting .333, with a team-best five RBIs and two doubles.

The Muskie pitching staff sports a 1.70 ERA and is holding hitters to a .201 batting average. Sophomore Madelyn Thomas guides the staff with an overall 3-0 record and a 1.09 ERA. Senior Hannah Smith carries a 3-1 mark, with a team-best 28 strikeouts.

Muskingum next plays on Wednesday, March 16, when they host Ohio Wesleyan for its home opener at Donna J. Newberry Field. The start time is slated for 3:30 p.m. and will feature live video and live stats on fightingmuskies.com and the OAC TV app.