NAIA Coaches' Poll
 
Kansas City, MO – The Patriots softball team earned 475 points to open the 2025 season ranked third in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll, which was announced by the national office Wednesday. It is the second straight year that Cumberlands has opened the season ranked third and the 12^th consecutive poll that UC has been ranked.

The Patriots compiled a 49-9 record in 2024 and captured their second consecutive Mid-South Conference Regular Season title. Cumberlands went 3-0 in the NAIA Opening Round to advance to the NAIA World Series for the second straight year. The Patriots earned a pair of wins at the World Series. 

UC has returned 12 players from last year's squad, including their top four hitters. Jade Gainer, who was the MSC Player of the Year and a NAIA First Team All-American, batted .398 with 55 RBI and 29 extra base hits last season. Also returning for UC are NAIA Third Team All-Americans Amber Gainer and Amber Atkins. Gainer batted .387 with 67 hits and 20 doubles, while Atkins hit .360 and tallied 54 RBI. NFCA All-American Carly Oliver also returns for UC after tallying a .349 average with 65 hits, 61 runs scored and 42 RBI. Oliver is a two-time NFCA Gold Glove winner as well.

Cumberlands pitching continues to be one of the best in the NAIA as they combined for a 2.68 staff ERA. The Patriots are lead by MSC Second Team All-Conference honoree Lindsey Shope, who returns for her fifth year. Shope had a breakout season in 2024, where she went 17-2 with a 2.46 ERA, while tallying 46 strikeouts. UC also returned Kaitlyn Schofield, while newcomers Presley McLean, and Jessica Cord will provide the staff depth throughout the season. 
 
Defending NAIA champion Our Lady of the Lake earned 15 first place votes to be ranked atop the poll. Oklahoma Science and Arts is ranked second and earned two first place votes, while Southern Oregon and Oregon Tech round out the top five. MSC rivals Freed-Hardeman and Campbellsville are both receiving votes.
 
Cumberlands opens the season on Friday, February 7^th, when they host sixth-ranked Madonna for a three-game series. 
 
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