2015 NAIA Softball Coaches? Top 25 Poll ? March 17
By: Chad Waller, Director of Communications & Sports Information
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the first time since 2008, Oklahoma City is ranked No. 1 in the first regular-season edition of the 2015 NAIA Softball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll, the national office announced Tuesday. With 585 points and 16 first-place votes, the Stars stand on top for the first time since the 2008 Preseason Top 25 (Jan. 30). This ranking marks the 21st all-time No. 1 mention, which ranks No. 3 on the active NAIA list.
Oklahoma City, the only team with more than five games played sporting an undefeated record, is tied for the third-most wins with a 20-0 mark. Last year, the Stars collected an NAIA-high 55 victories. Leading the NAIA in home runs at 1.9 per outing, Oklahoma City next takes the field on Tuesday against Baker (Kan.).
No. 2 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) is on the heels of Oklahoma City with 553 points and four first-place votes. The Blue Raiders enjoy their highest ranking in school history behind a 16-3 start to the season.
Preseason No. 1-ranked Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) drops down to No. 3 with 552 points and the remaining first-place nod. Pitching has been the staple as the Warhawks rank No. 3 in the NAIA in strikeouts (172) and opponent batting average (.171).
No. 4 Concordia (Calif.), up four spots with 523 points, claims the most victories in the NAIA with a 24-4 mark.
Posting 519 total points, No. 5 St. Gregory’s (Okla.) slides up one position.
No.11 Vanguard (Calif.) is the newcomer with the highest vault up this week. This is the first Top 25 recognition for the Lions since April 23, 2008 (No. 25). Vanguard got out of the gates with a 13-1 start and currently stand with a 22-6 record.
Four other programs are in their first national ranking of the 2015 season: No. 12 Thomas (Ga.), No. 20 Science & Arts (Okla.), No. 23 Indiana Wesleyan and No. 24 Campbellsville (Ky.).
The following programs fell out since the Preseason Top 25: Simpson (Calif.) (No. 10), William Woods (Mo.) (No. 19), College of Idaho (No. 21 – tie), Oklahoma Baptist (No. 21 – tie) and Taylor (Ind.) (No. 25).
The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences /independent /unaffiliated groupings. The second regular-season Top 25 will be announced on March 24.
For the complete calendar of 2015 Top 25 Polls, click here.
Notes: (all information dating back to 2000) All Top 25 teams shifted positions from the Preseason Top 25…Preseason No. 1 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) is looking to become the first team to be on top of the preseason charts and win the national championship in the same season since Oklahoma City did so in 2002… Last year, there were 36 different teams ranked, with 16 of them ranked in every poll... Auburn Montgomery and Concordia (Calif.) were the only No. 1 ranked teams in 2014... Prior to the 2014 postseason edition, the 18-straight No. 1 rankings for Concordia was the longest stretch for any program since former member California Baptist rattled through 24-consecutive polls from 2009-11… Oklahoma City leads all active schools with 103-straight rankings, falling no lower than 18th during that stretch, which dates back to start of 2004 season; No. 9 William Carey (Miss.) is second with 66-consecutive mentions and No. 4 Concordia (Calif.) is right behind at 57-straight polls… Since 2000, 12 teams have topped the poll with former member California Baptist leading the way with 46 all-time No. 1 appearances, followed by Concordia with 24, Oklahoma City with 20, former member Simon Fraser (B.C.) with 18, Thomas (Ga.) with 13, Mobile (Ala.) with five, former member Lubbock Christian (Texas) with four, Auburn Montgomery, Cal State San Marcos and Oklahoma Baptist with two apiece – Oregon Tech and former member Shorter (Ga.) each have one.
2015 NAIA Softball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll – March 17
| RANK | LAST WEEK^ | SCHOOL (1ST PLACE VOTES) | 2015 RECORD* | TOTAL POINTS |
| 1 | 5 | Oklahoma City (16) | 18-0 | 585 |
| 2 | 4 | Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) (4) | 16-3 | 553 |
| 3 | 1 | Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) (1) | 14-4 | 552 |
| 4 | 8 | Concordia (Calif.) | 24-4 | 523 |
| 5 | 6 | St. Gregory's (Okla.) | 13-1 | 519 |
| 6 | 7 | LSU Alexandria | 13-3 | 491 |
| 7 | 9 | Saint Xavier (Ill.) | 13-2-1 | 483 |
| 8 | 12 | Cal State San Marcos | 20-5 | 450 |
| 9 | 2 | William Carey (Miss.) | 14-7 | 439 |
| 10 | 16 | Central Methodist (Mo.) | 8-6 | 383 |
| 11 | RV | Vanguard (Calif.) | 22-6 | 349 |
| 12 | NR | Thomas (Ga.) | 20-7 | 340 |
| 13 | 17 | Oregon Tech | 18-6 | 337 |
| 14 | 11 | Belhaven (Miss.) | 11-7 | 299 |
| 15 | 14 | Biola (Calif.) | 20-8 | 295 |
| 16 | 15 | Concordia (Ore.) | 19-9 | 269 |
| 17 | 18 | Houston-Victoria (Texas) | 18-7 | 265 |
| 18 | 23 | Davenport (Mich.) | 16-3 | 239 |
| 19 | 3 | Reinhardt (Ga.) | 10-12 | 224 |
| 20 | NR | Science & Arts (Okla.) | 17-4 | 212 |
| 21 | 20 | Brenau (Ga.) | 13-3 | 211 |
| 22 | 13 | Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) | 12-7 | 209 |
| 23 | NR | Indiana Wesleyan | 17-2 | 185 |
| 24 | RV | Campbellsville (Ky.) | 9-4 | 180 |
| 25 | 24 | USC Beaufort (S.C.) | 10-8 | 124 |
Others Receiving Votes: Corban (Ore.) 109; Georgia Gwinnett 88; Mobile (Ala.) 85; Bellevue (Neb.) 54; San Diego Christian (Calif.) 53; Grand View (Iowa) 45; Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) 36; Doane (Neb.) 35; Saint Mary (Kan.) 29; Southern Oregon 20; Simpson (Calif.) 18; Taylor (Ind.) 13; Dickinson State (N.D.) 11; William Woods (Mo.) 9; Mid-America Christian (Okla.) 7; Great Falls (Mont.) 5; Columbia (Mo.) 3; Bryan (Tenn.) 3; Webber International (Fla.) 3.
^ Ranked in the Preseason Top 25 Poll on Jan. 20, 2015
