Columbia, Mo. – This afternoon the NAIA national office announced the first 2018 Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The Cougars, who ranked second in the preseason poll, came in at number six in this poll after starting the season with a 7-4 overall record and 2-0 mark in conference play.

The Cougars have been playing well as of late as they have won three of their last four games. They currently rank in the top 10 nationally in five different categories including third in doubles per game (2.636), third in at bats per game (30.818), sixth in hits per game (11.182), eighth in batting average (0.363), and eighth in earned run average (1.620). Offensively, they are led by Molly Carter who ranks fourth in the NAIA in at bats per game (3.909) and seventh in hits per game (1.818) while leading the team in RBI's (14). She also has been great in the circle for Columbia College as she ranks ninth in the NAIA in total runs allowed (3), 13^th in earned run average (0.880), and 16^th in earned runs allowed (3).

The Cougars return to the diamond on Thursday, March 15^th when they play cross town rival Stephens (Mo.) College on the road for an AMC doubleheader. The first game of the doubleheader is set to start 2 p.m. with the second game to follow.