NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. - The NCAA Division III Softball Committee released its first regional poll this afternoon and Eastern Connecticut State University and Rhode Island College are among the top teams in the New England Region. The Warriors are ranked second to lead the Little East Conference contingent, while the Anchorwomen are fourth in the eight-team region.

Tufts University (26-0) sits atop the New England Region, while the U.S. Coast Guard Academy is sandwiched between the two Little East Conference perennial powers. Completing the order in poll are Brandeis University (13-9), Endicott College (20-4), Western New England (15-7), and Wellesley College (13-0). The rankings are based on games through April 12.

Head Coach Diana Pepin has led Eastern Connecticut to victories in nine of its past 10 games to raise the Warriors overall record to 15-5, including an 11-1 mark in-region. The Warriors split a pair of games against regionally-ranked competition this past weekend, defeating the Blue (3-0) and falling to the top-seeded Jumbos (2-0). Freshman pitcher Molly Rathbun (Hebron, Conn.) ranks among the national leaders in earned run average (sixth, 0.58), saves (15th, 2), strikeouts per seven innings (15th, 9.3), and victories (41st, 11). Rathbun has reached double figures in strikeouts six times, including a season-high 13 against Lawrence University, while not allowing an earned run in 33-consecutive innings to begin her collegiate career.

Rhode Island College is currently riding the momentum of a 16-game unbeaten streak to post an overall record of 23-2-1, including a 19-1-1 mark in-region. The Anchorwomen have featured a powerful offensive attack during their current-unbeaten streak, scoring at least seven runs 11 times. Head Coach Maria Morin's club sits atop the Little East in batting average (.335), hits (264), on-base percentage (.405), runs scored (191), and slugging percentage (.471). Sophomore shortstop Donielle Matton (Coventry, R.I.) leads the conference circuit in batting average (.486), slugging percentage (.861), triples (6), while ranking second in total bases (62).   

The second NCAA Division III New England Poll will be released Wednesday, April 22.