Junior Jena Boudreau hit two home runs and knocked in five RBIs in UMSL’s first six games. The Tritons went 5-1 and moved up to No. 8 in the national rankings.

The University of Missouri–St. Louis softball team moved up to No. 8 in the second National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Poll.

The UMSL Tritons, which began the season ranked No. 18 in the preseason poll, posted a 5-1 record at the Arkansas-Monticello 8-State Classic to warrant an initial seven-spot jump, followed by moving up three more spots a week later.

Preseason No. 1 Central Oklahoma, the defending national champions that have since dropped out of the poll, handed UMSL its lone loss this season, a 4-0 setback.

The Tritons are the lone Great Lakes Valley Conference team in the top 25, with Indianapolis dropping out after a preseason No. 7 ranking.

UMSL will return to the field March 1-2 at the Teri Mathis-Zenner Memorial Tournament, hosted by Missouri Southern in Joplin, Mo. The Tritons will face Fort Hays State and No. 23 ranked Emporia State on the first day and Nebraska-Kearney and Pittsburg State on the second day. UMSL defeated Fort Hays State, 2-0, and Emporia State, 5-1, earlier this season.

UMSL’s previous high ranking before this season was No. 15 on April 15, 2009, when the Tritons debuted in that position.

The NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the eight NCAA regions.