From University of Rochester Athletics
The University of Rochester finished 13th in the
final Division III Softball Poll issued by the National Fastpitch
Coaches Association. It is the highest end-of-season ranking for
softball since the program began in 1998.
Rochester finished the 2014 campaign with a final record of 32-14.
The Yellowjackets were selected for the NCAA Division III softball
playoffs, advanced through two rounds of competition, and reached
the 2014 National Championships in Tyler, Texas. This is the
farthest that softball has ever advanced in the playoffs.
The Yellowjackets won the Liberty League post-season tournament and
secured the league's Pool A bid to the NCAA Division III
playoffs.
Rochester hosted a four-team regional on its own Southside Field on
May 9-11. The Yellowjackets opened with a 6-0 victory over Marywood
University. In the winner's bracket on May 10, Rochester lost, 8-7,
to Alfred University. The Yellowjackets defeated Messiah College in
an elimination game on May 10. On May 11, Rochester swept Alfred,
4-1, and 6-0, in two 'finals' games.
That regional win catapulted Rochester into the Super Regionals
against 15th-ranked Rowan University. The Yellowjackets
hosted again, this time just before graduation ceremonies on the
River Campus (May 18). Rochester defeated the Profs, 5-0, in game
one on May 15. Heavy rains moved game two back one day to May 17.
Rochester hit as the visiting team in game two and defeated the
Profs, 3-0, on a dramatic three-run home run by senior Nina Korn in
the top of the ninth.
Rochester lost twice in the national championship round in Texas
– 8-7 to 20th-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater and 9-1
to 13th-ranked University of St. Thomas (MN).
In the final poll, the Yellowjackets accumulated 101 voting points,
finishing six points shy of Illinois Wesleyan and Virginia
Wesleyan, both of which tied for 11th place (107
points). This is Rochester's first appearance in the top 25
this year. The Yellowjackets were among Others Receiving Votes in
the last two regular-season polls.
Rochester has participated in the NCAA Division III playoffs five
times in the last eight years: 2007 (final record of 28-7), 2008
(32-12), 2009 (33-12), 2012 (29-15), 2014 (32-14). The program has
an all-time record of 355 wins, 308 losses (53.5%). In NCAA
post-season games, the Yellowjackets are 15-11 (57.7%).
Head coach Margaret Yerdon-Grange just completed her fifth season
in that role. Her coaching record is 132-82 (61.7%).
Complete
NFCA Division III Poll