HobbsDailyReport.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Lenoir-Rhyne University will open its women’s softball season on Feb. 2 as the 25th best team in the country, based on rankings released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) for NCAA Division II teams.
The Bears, picked by South Atlantic Conference (SAC) head coaches to finish second this season, are ranked No. 25 in the first NFCA poll of the season.
Minnesota State tops the preseason rankings and Carson-Newman is ranked No. 20.
LRU was 46-13 last season, including 16-4 in the SAC to share the league title with Carson-Newman. The Bears, who earned a bid in last year’s NCAA Division II Southeast Regional, have now won or shared the conference regular-season title for 11 straight seasons.
LRU’s season begins on Feb. 2 against West Alabama at 10 a.m. as part of the Gulf Coast Invitational in Gulf Shores, Ala. The Bears also play Lee, ranked No. 11, that day at 4:45 p.m.
NFCA NCAA DIVISION II TOP 25
(as voted by 16 NFCA head coaches, two from each region)
1. Minnesota State (14) 64-7
2. Angelo State (2) 60-7
3. West Florida 46-15
4. West Virginia Wesleyan 51-10
5. Humboldt State 44-15
6. Southern Indiana 46-14
7. North Georgia 48-13
8. Colorado Mesa 48-8
9. Dixie State 42-14
10. Southern Arkansas 46-18
11. Lee 36-20
12. Harding 58-9
13. West Texas A&M 43-11
14. UMSL 42-15
15. Cal State Monterey Bay 43-13
16. West Chester 48-13
17. Molloy 37-18
18. Valdosta State 39-19
19. Wayne State (Mich.) 40-16
20. Carson-Newman 43-13
21. Chico State 39-18
22. St. Mary’s 44-16
23. Saint Leo 37-15
24. Winona State 52-13
25. LENOIR-RHYNE 46-13
Receiving Votes: Adelphi (35), Saginaw Valley State (21), California Baptist (20), North Alabama (16), Central Oklahoma (14), Concordia Irvine (14), Texas Woman’s (13), Palm Beach Atlantic (12), University of Alabama in Huntsville (7), Mississippi College (4), Limestone (4).
- Reported by LRU Sports Information