The SEC is off to a great start this softball season, and in the latest Softball America Top 25 poll, the league has landed 9 teams in the ranking, led by Alabama at No. 2.

Florida checked in at No. 4, and the rest of the SEC went this way: Arkansas (14), Kentucky (16), Missouri (18), Tennessee (19), Georgia (20), LSU (21) and Auburn (22).

Alabama star pitcher Montana Fouts was named the SEC Softball Pitcher of the Week after she went 2-0 over 3 appearances at last week’s Easton Bama Bash. She allowed just 1 run on 6 hits while striking out 24 batters over 13.1 innings pitched. Fouts even had a no-hit bid into the sixth inning on Sunday.

That’s when she was supported by freshman Jordan Stephens, who capped a 9-1 Alabama softball victory over Middle Tennessee Sunday afternoon with a 3-run home run to end the game in a run-rule.

At Florida, Kendra Falby was named SEC Freshman of the Week after she hit .550 (11-for-20) over 6 games. She also was 6-for-6 in stolen bases and scored 12 times as the leadoff batter for the Gators offense.

The Gators beat Florida A&M, 8-0 (5 innings), Sunday afternoon for Florida’s sixth of the season.

That helped Florida improved to 10-0 thanks to a shutout performance from Rylee Trlicek and Marissa Mesiemore.