LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The NFCA released their latest Division II poll on Wednesday morning, and Northwest Nazarene softball has entered the Top 25 for the first time in program history, ranking 25th.

The Nighthawks (22-8, 5-3) have been on the cusp of the rankings for a month, receiving votes in each of the last four national polls, but a 4-2 road trip against tough PacWest schools, including a win over then-No. 14 Concordia Irvine, was enough to finally crack the Top 25. 

Augustana leads the poll with all 16 first-place votes, followed by Valdosta State, North Georgia, UT Tyler, and Indianapolis. The aforementioned Concordia Irvine squad has moved up to 11th and is the only other West Region member in the Top 25. Fellow West Region members Western Washington and Biola are also receiving votes in this week's poll.

The Nighthawks have been impressive at the plate and in the circle all season long, and come into the week ranked in the top 20 nationally in batting average, doubles, hits, on-base percentage, shutouts, slugging percentage, and walks. Individually, Sidney Booth is 16th in the nation with 113 strikeouts and 24th with 32 RBI, Ivy Hommel is sixth with 22 stolen bases and 25th with 10 doubles, and Brittany Genuardi is 11th with a .590 OBP and fifth with 1.03 walks per game.

NNU heads to Ellensburg this weekend to battle Central Washington in a four-game set on April 16 and 17.