STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Barry Buccaneers continued to climb in the NFCA Division II Top 25 poll this week, moving into the top-10 for the first time this season. The Bucs (22-5, 5-1 SSC) are ranked eighth in this week’s edition of the poll.
The Bucs have been very consistent all season and have not lost back-to-back games at any point. The Bucs have been winning with pitching and defense as they rank 12th in the nation in ERA and 10th in fielding percentage.
Senior Brianna Smith leads the pitching staff with an 11-3 record and a 1.42 ERA in 93.2 innings. She ranks 15th in the nation in fewest walks per seven innings and is tied for fourth in shutouts. In addition, she leads the team in home runs and is hitting .307 on the season.
Amber Durkin leads the team in batting at .422 and is second on the team with 16 runs scored. Alyssa Goldsmith, who is hitting .386, leads the team with 11 doubles and 19 RBI. Natalia Ojeda is batting .385 and leads the team with 17 runs.
The Bucs travel to Lakeland, Fla., this weekend for a big Sunshine State Conference showdown with the Florida Southern Moccasins. The teams play one game on Saturday and finish off with a doubleheader on Sunday.
