LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With the top six spots remaining the same and the top 10 making some minor moves, West Texas A&M is still holding on to No. 1 in this week’s NFCA Division II Poll that was released by the Association on Wednesday.
The Lady Buffs (13-2), who had all their contests postponed, received 11 first place votes (392 points) out of a possible 16 and are holding on to the top spot by a mere six points. Valdosta State (16-2), which convincingly swept a doubleheader from Delta State (11-2 / 10-2), picked up another first place vote and four overall to inch its way closer to No. 1 with 386 points. The Blazers have won 14 of their last 15 contests.
Cal State Monterey Bay (13-2) stayed steady in the third spot after taking three of four from CCAA foe UC San Diego (RV). As they did a week ago, the Otters split the opening doubleheader (3-2 / 2-4), but bounced back with 7-1 and 8-0 triumphs over the Tritons.
No. 4 Missouri-St. Louis (13-1) did not play due to weather postponements, while No. 5 St. Mary’s (Texas) and No. 6 Angelo State (13-1) were able to get in one of two of their respective conference series doubleheaders. The Rattlers (17-3) swept Rogers State (13-0 / 6-1), while the Rambelles took care of Texas A&M Kingsville (5-2 / 8-0).
No. 7 West Chester and No. 10 LIU Post had their first games of the season canceled. Dixie moved to No. 8 after sweeping a four-game PacWest series from Dominican (Calif.), Alabama-Huntsville dropped two spots to No. 9 after splitting with Mississippi College (3-6 / 8-1) in a Peach Belt twinbill.
Returning to the top 25 after a two-week absence is No. 20 California Baptist. The Lancers (14-4) went 3-1 in a PacWest series against Holy Names and have won seven of their last eight. Joining the poll for the first time this year is No. 22 North Alabama, which has come out of the gates strong with a 12-1 start.
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. 2015 records and previous week’s rankings are shown with first-place votes in parentheses.
NFCA Division II Softball Poll – March 4, 2015
Rank
Team
2015 Record
Totals
Prev. Rank
1
West Texas A&M (11)
13-2
392
1
2
Valdosta State (4)
16-2
386
2
3
Cal State Monterey Bay
13-2
362
3
4
Missouri-St. Louis
13-1
352
4
5
St. Mary’s (Texas) (1)
17-3
337
5
6
Angelo State
13-1
316
6
7
West Chester
0-0
267
T-7
8
Dixie State
13-5
264
T-10
9
Alabama-Huntsville
11-4
252
T-7
10
LIU Post
0-0
249
9
11
North Georgia
11-3
235
12
12
Arkansas Tech
8-0
220
13
13
Wingate
9-3
214
T-10
14
Caldwell
0-0
182
14
15
Winona State
8-1
158
16
16
Rollins
13-0
150
18
17
Georgia College
15-3
149
15
18
Central Oklahoma
8-4
132
20
19
Humboldt State
10-5
83
19
20
California Baptist
14-4
82
RV
21
Indianapolis
3-3
73
21
22
North Alabama
12-1
54
RV
23
Emporia State
8-4
52
17
23
West Virginia Wesleyan
0-0
52
23
25
Augustana (S.D.)
7-3
46
25
Dropped Out: No. 22 Tampa (9-5), No. 24 Metro State (10-4)
New to Poll: No. 20 California Baptist, No. 22 North Alabama
Others Receiving Votes: Metro State (30), Southern New Hampshire (2), Lenoir Rhyne (21), Southern Indiana (14), California (Pa.) (13), UC San Diego (11), Tampa (10), Wayne State (Mich.) (10), Grand Valley State (4), Shorter (3), Southeastern Oklahoma State (1).