Lady Statesmen 31st in NAIA

William Penn heavy hitter Khyia Lewis prepares to put one way over the left field fence Tuesday night against St. Ambrose

Oskaloosa–The William Penn softball team has been one of the hottest in the nation lately, helping the navy and gold advance two more spots as the fifth NAIA poll was released today.

The Lady Statesmen (37-12, 20-2 MCC), winners of five straight and 25 of their last 27, are now unofficially tied for 31st with 31 points. The squad is still the lone program from the Midwest Collegiate Conference in the poll and is the top team in the state of Iowa. Northwestern is tied for 43rd.

Concordia (Calif.), who broke an NAIA record with 43 consecutive victories, is #1 for the third week in a row (560 points, 19 first-place votes). Cal State-San Marcos, with the other first-place vote, is second. Oklahoma City, Central Baptist (Ark.), and Lubbock Christian (Texas) round out the top five.

William Penn travels to Chicago, Ill. Friday to face #13 Olivet Nazarene in a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.