LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As the shuffling continued, the top three spots remained the same in week three of the 2017 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, announced the Association on Wednesday morning. Humboldt State continued as the unanimous No. 1 for the second straight week, followed by No. 2 Southern Arkansas and No. 3 St. Mary’s, while five new programs entered the poll, including first-timers No. 18 Pfeiffer and No. 22 Lubbock Christian.
After a near three-week layoff due to weather, the Jacks (9-0), who received all 16 first-place votes and 400 points, didn’t show any signs of rust, sweeping San Francisco State in a California Collegiate Athletic Association four-game road series, posting a pair of shutouts.
The Lady Muleriders (14-2) opened conference play on the road as well, sweeping their four-game Great American Conference (GAC) series at East Central. Southern Arkansas (376 points) twirled two shutouts and picked up a pair of run-rule victories.
The Rattlers (16-2, 370 points) extended their winning streak to 10 games, sweeping a road twinbill from Texas A&M Commerce by the scores of 6-3 and 6-5. North Georgia (345 points) grabbed hold of solo fourth with a 4-1 week, which included two wins over Eckerd and a triumph over No. 8 Saint Leo (3-1).
The Lions (15-4) stayed put at No. 8, while Valdosta State (331) and West Texas A&M (329) slid up one spot to No. 5 and 6, respectively. Saint Leo (288) swept its Sunshine State Conference series against Embry-Riddle before falling to the Nighthawks (18-5). The Blazers (16-3) finished off last week 4-1, while the Lady Buffs (17-2) ran over Texas Woman’s in Lone Star play, outscoring the Pioneers, 48-3, in three games.
Grand Valley State (291) opened 2017 with a 3-1 showing at the Lewis Dome Tournament and fell from a tie for fourth to seventh. Chico State (266) and Lenoir Rhyne (258) rounded out the top ten, moving up one and two spots, respectively.
Five programs made their first appearances of 2017- No. 13 Southern Indiana, No. 18 Pfeiffer, No. 22 Lubbock Christian, No. 24 Missouri Western and No. 25, Cal State Monterey Bay. Dropping out were No. 9 Adelphi (2-6-1), which opened up with some tough West Region competition, picking up wins over Azusa Pacific and then-No. 20 Dixie State, No. 11 Charleston (1-4), No. 14 UC San Diego (10-4), No. 17 Armstrong State (10-5) and idle No. 25 UMSL (11-5).
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. Records reflect games played through Sunday, Feb. 26.
2017 NFCA Division II Softball Coaches Poll
Week 3 | March 1, 2017
Dropped Out: No. 9 Adelphi, No. 11 Charleston, No. 14 UC San Diego, No. 17 Armstrong State, No. 25 UMSL.
New to Poll: No. 13 Southern Indiana, No. 18 Pfeiffer, No. 22 Lubbock Christian, No. 24 Missouri Western, No. 25 Cal State Monterey Bay.
Receiving Votes: Southern New Hampshire (30), Limestone (24), UMSL (14), LIU Post (7), Tampa (6), Kutztown (3), Young Harris (2), Wayne State (Mich.) (2), Cameron (1).
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. Records reflect games played through Sunday, Feb. 26.