LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the first time in program history, the Emory & Henry College Softball Team is ranked in the Top 10 of NCAA Division III. The Wasps are the No. 9 team in the country this week according to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's latest poll which was released Wednesday morning.

E&H (21-3) sits in a tie atop the Old Dominion Athletic Conference standings at 11-1 with Virginia Wesleyan University (27-3-1), the unanimous No. 1 for a second week in a row. Also represented from the ODAC is Randolph-Macon College (14-7-1, 6-3 ODAC) which moves up two spots from a week ago into a tie for 17th.

Last week, Emory & Henry went 4-0 in league action to run its current winning streak to nine games. It is the second time this year that the Wasps have won nine games in a row. Last Thursday, E&H picked up 8-1 and 1-0 wins over Ferrum College and completed the week with a sweep of Bridgewater College, 2-1 and 7-4, Saturday.

For their efforts, the team grabbed both ODAC Player of the Week awards for the first time in program history. Senior pitcher/designated player Alex Braun (Lexington, S.C.) was named ODAC Player of the Week and senior pitcher Cameron Derr (Denver, N.C.) was selected as ODAC Pitcher of the Week.

RELATED: NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll

No. 2 Texas Lutheran University follows VWU in the poll for the second straight week. Eastern Connecticut State University moves up two spots as the new No. 3 while East Texas Baptist University remains No. 4 for a third week in a row. Linfield College falls two spots to sit in fifth. Previous Emory & Henry opponent Christopher Newport University is No. 14 this week while Transylvania University continues to receive votes after being ranked as high as 10th earlier this season.

Emory & Henry has four games left in its regular season slate which will have major implications in seeding for the ODAC Tournament. The Wasps are on the verge of clinching a top-four position in the league which would give them home-field advantage in the tournament quarterfinal series.

E&H will resume its doubleheader with No. 1 Virginia Wesleyan University which was halted due to rain on Saturday, March 27 on Thursday. The Wasps are scheduled to face University of Lynchburg on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The contests against the Hornets will serve as Senior Day.

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