Defending national champion NDSCS softball maintained its preseason No. 1 ranking in the first NJCAA Division III regular season poll, released March 25. The 19-7 Wildcats were followed in the top five by Surry, Corning, Patrick & Henry and Rowan South Jersey. 

Grace Folkema, a freshman from Rush City, Minnesota, was named DIII Pitcher of the Week on the heels of 10 scoreless innings with 21 strikeouts across two wins. Folkema tops the country with 131 strikeouts and 24 appearances in the circle. She’s 8-3 with a 3.61 ERA and a pair of saves, forming a one-two pitching punch alongside West Fargo alum Emma Johnson.

Avery Martin, a sophomore C/3B from League City, Texas, was named Mon-Dak Conference Player of the Week after mashing four home runs. Martin leads the nation with eight home runs and ranks second with 36 RBIs.

NDSCS continues to crush opposing pitchers. As a team, the Cats are batting .366 with 261 hits, 85 of them going for extra bases. The Wildcats are 53-for-57 in the steals department, led by 11 swipes from TK Landes.

Sophomore Riley Tappy of Montpelier, Indiana, reached an ironman accomplishment by starting her 75th consecutive game at shortstop. 

The Wildcats were scheduled to open the home slate Saturday and Sunday in Wahpeton, but moved their weekend series vs. Miles Community College to Miles City, Montana. Tune into KBMW on Monday to hear about those games.