April 27, 2010

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Seven teams moved four-or more spots, including Marian's (Ind.) move from previously receiving votes to No. 13, in the sixth edition of the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, the national office announced Tuesday. California Baptist remained the unanimous No. 1 with 23 first-place votes for 653 points, followed by No. 2 Lee (Tenn.). No. 3 Lubbock Christian (Texas), No. 4 Concordia (Ore.) and No. 5 Belhaven (Miss.) each climb one spot in the poll to round out the top five.

Marian had been receiving votes in the five previous polls, but makes its move into the Top 25 for the first time this season. The Knights have won 14 straight games, including three shutouts, and boast an overall record of 34-4 and are at the top of the Mid-Central College Conference standings at 12-0. Head coach Scott Fleming's team is the only new addition to this week's Top 25, replacing then-No. 25 Columbia (Mo.).

Also making large moves up in the poll were No. 10 Shorter (Ga.) and No. 7 California State-San Marcos. Shorter (42-12, 24-8 Southern States Athletic Conference) improved eight spots and is making its first showing in the top-10 this season, while California State-San Marcos (35-13) earned its highest ranking of the season.

After owning a top-10 ranking for the five previous polls, including two weeks at No. 3, Bethel (Ind.) went 3-3 last week and suffered by dropping 11 spots to No. 14. Also taking setbacks in the poll were No. 15 Brenau (Ga.) and No. 18 Saint Gregory's (Okla.), dropping four spots, and No. 21 Houston - Victoria (Texas) falling five.

With 18 teams that were ranked in the previous poll shifting position, the top-two teams remain consistent in California Baptist and Lee. The Lancers (54-2, 32-1 Golden State Athletic Conference) were dealt its second loss of the season on April 20, a 7-4 defeat at the hands of then-No. 13 California State-San Marcos. The loss snapped a 23-game winning streak dating back to March 16. Despite the loss, the Lancers spend their seventh week as the unanimous No. 1. Lee (51-4, 30-2 SSAC) has spent four weeks in the No. 2 slot. California Baptist and Lee are also the only two squads to obtain a 50-win season.

Twelve conferences and unaffiliated groupings are represented in the poll. The Southern States Athletic Conference leads all leagues with four ranked teams: Lee, Shorter, Brenau and No. 17 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.). Four conferences, the GSAC, Sooner Athletic Conference, Association of Independent Institutions and the unaffiliated grouping of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and the Sunrise Conference, each have three ranked squads.

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences. The final poll will be announced May 4. Qualifiers for the NAIA Softball National Championship in Decatur, Ala., May 20 - 26, will be released May 10, followed by the pool-play schedule May 11.

Others receiving votes: Columbia College (Mo.) 128; Reinhardt College (Ga.) 78; MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) 62; Simpson University (Calif.) 59; Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) 50; Mount Mercy College (Iowa) 41; Williams Baptist College (Ark.) 18; Saint Xavier University (Ill.) 15; William Penn University (Iowa) 14; Morningside College (Iowa) 13; Lindenwood University (Mo.) 12; Georgetown College (Ky.) 11; Union University (Tenn.) 8; Jamestown College (N.D.) 7; Texas Wesleyan University 6; Indiana University Southeast 5; Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) 5; Davenport University (Mich.) 3; Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas) 1; Webber International University (Fla.) 1; McKendree University (Ill.) 1; Milligan College (Tenn.) 1.