Another week, another statement from the top of Division III softball.
Virginia Wesleyan continues to separate itself from the pack, holding firm at No. 1 in the latest NFCA Division III Top 25 rankings as the 2026 season pushes deeper into conference play. The Marlins have backed up their ranking with dominant performances, including a recent sweep of Sweet Briar that showcased both their explosive offense and shutdown pitching.
Behind them, the race for positioning remains tight. Programs like Trine, Linfield, Texas Lutheran, and East Texas Baptist continue to build strong résumés, with several teams stacking wins and jockeying for postseason positioning. Computer rankings and performance metrics also reflect that same group near the top, reinforcing just how consistent the contenders have been through April.
Virginia Wesleyan’s grip on No. 1 looks as strong as ever. The defending powerhouse has paired elite pitching with a relentless lineup, and its recent doubleheader sweep only added to an already impressive run.
Elsewhere, Texas Lutheran and East Texas Baptist continue to prove why the ASC remains one of the most competitive conferences in the country. Both programs picked up statement sweeps last week, with TLU dominating Hendrix and ETBU finishing off a key conference road trip with authority.
Out west, Linfield continues to anchor the top tier, while teams like Trine remain firmly in the national title conversation thanks to consistent results and strong overall records.
As conference play intensifies, these teams will have plenty of opportunities to shake up the rankings.
NFCA Division III Top 25 (April 7, 2026)
- Virginia Wesleyan
- Trine
- Linfield
- Saint Mary’s (Minn.)
- Texas Lutheran
- East Texas Baptist
- Redlands
- WashU
- Belhaven
- St. Thomas Houston
- Huntingdon
- Tufts
- Simpson (Iowa)
- Berry (GA)
- Stockton
- Wisconsin-Oshkosh
- Wisconsin-Whitewater
- Mount Union
- Colby
- Husson
- Central (Iowa)
- WPI
- Rowan
- Chapman
- Muskingum
Join The College Softball Conversation On Social
- Follow us on Twitter @FloCollegeSB
- Follow us on Instagram @FloCollegeSoftball
- Like us on Facebook
- Watch us on YouTube @FloCollegeSoftball