LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Alfred University softball team is back in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) national weekly polls, moving up to No. 17 as the organization released its weekly rankings this Wednesday, May 19.
 
The Saxons (31-9) previously received a pair of votes the week of April 21, its only other appearance in the polls this season. The ranking is the highest for the program since the third week of the 2016 season, where they were 11^th in the nation.
 
Alfred has won 11 of the last 13 contests, capturing the Empire 8 Championship last Saturday after a pair of victories over then- No. 12 St. John Fisher College. Alfred has won 11 of the last 13 contests and eclipsed the 30-win plateau for just the third time in program history, joining the 2010 (37-8) and 2015 (40-9) squads.
 
The Saxons earned their fourth appearance in the NCAA Tournament (2010, 2014, 2015, 2021) this past Monday and will head to Eau Claire, Wisc. as the second seed. The Saxons will take on Piedmont College (22-11) in the opening round contest Friday at 1 p.m. EST. Other ranked teams in Alfred's bracket include No. 8 Linfield, as well as Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Southern Maine, who are both receiving votes.
 
The final NFCA Poll of the 2021 season will be unveiled following the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament in late May.