Hempstead, N.Y. – After defeating nationally ranked James Madison twice to capture the Colonial Athletic Association Championship, the Hofstra Softball team has returned to the national polls, checking in at No. 24 in both the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll and the ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll.
 
The Pride (40-12) first entered the polls on April 17 at No. 25 before rising to No. 24 the following week. The rankings were Hofstra's first appearance in the national top 25 since the final week of the 2013 season.
 
The Pride also rose to 19th in the RPI this week, the team's highest rating this season. Hofstra is the highest ranked mid-major in the RPI and the highest ranked East Coast team north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
 
The Pride heads to Columbia, South Carolina, this weekend for NCAA Regionals at No. 9 seed South Carolina. Hofstra opens regional play against Liberty at 5 p.m. on Friday.