The Carthage College softball team (0-0, 0-0 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) was ranked 22nd in the pre-season 2014 National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division III poll.

Tufts University (8 first-place votes) was ranked first in the pre-season poll, followed by Montclair State University second, Salisbury University third, the State University of New York-Cortland fourth, Texas Tyler fifth, Central College sixth, Luther College seventh, East Texas Baptist University eighth, Trine University ninth, Virginia Wesleyan College 10th, the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) 11th, Emory University 12th, Piedmont College 13th, Linfield College 14th and CCIW-member Augustana College (Ill.) ranked 15th.  Carthage was ranked 22nd and conference member North Central College 25th in the poll.

Weather permitting, the Lady Reds open their 2014 season on Sunday, March 16 by playing host to Concordia University (Ill.) in a 1 p.m. doubleheader at the Carthage Softball Field in Kenosha, Wis.  On Tuesday, March 18, Carthage is scheduled to play host to Lake Forest College in a 3 p.m. twinbill, also at the Carthage Softball Field.