LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the first time since 2010, Carson-Newman's softball program is nationally ranked.
The Eagles debut at No. 20 in the preseason NFCA/USA Today Coaches poll. The last time the Eagles' were ranked was 2010, when they finished the year ranked 25th. That year is also the last time Carson-Newman was ranked in the preseason poll.
Carson-Newman opened up the 2010 season ranked 24th.
The Eagles are the second highest ranked team in the Southeast Region in the initial poll. North Georgia is ranked seventh.
Carson-Newman and Lenoir-Rhyne (25) represent the South Atlantic Conference in the rankings. The Eagles and Bears split the regular season SAC title last year before C-N went on to win the tournament crown.
The Eagles narrowly edged out the Bears in the SAC's annual preseason poll for the top spot in that ranking.
Limestone is Carson-Newman's only other opponent that factors into the rankings. The Saints are in the receiving votes section of the poll.
The Eagles are coming off a 43-13 campaign in a year where the program collected the second most wins in a single-season in school history.
Carson-Newman only lost pitcher Alli Webster from last year's club, but return every other starter, including All-Americans Lacie Rinus (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) and Abby Fiessinger (Benton, Ky.), as well as preseason All-SAC first teamer Kristen Toppel.
The No. 20 Eagles kick off their season on Feb. 3 against Lees-McRae. First pitch against the Bobcats is set for 1 p.m. Coverage will be available on the Eagle Sports Network at cneagles.com/live.
|
Rank |
Team |
Record |
Points |
|
1 |
Minnesota State (14) |
64-7 |
396 |
|
2 |
Angelo State (2) |
60-7 |
386 |
|
3 |
West Florida |
46-15 |
351 |
|
4 |
West Virginia Wesleyan |
51-10 |
348 |
|
5 |
Humboldt State |
44-15 |
338 |
|
6 |
Southern Indiana |
46-14 |
317 |
|
7 |
North Georgia |
48-13 |
298 |
|
8 |
Colorado Mesa |
48-8 |
280 |
|
9 |
Dixie State |
42-14 |
245 |
|
10 |
Southern Arkansas |
46-18 |
229 |
|
11 |
Lee |
36-20 |
216 |
|
12 |
Harding |
58-9 |
171 |
|
13 |
West Texas A&M |
43-11 |
170 |
|
14 |
UMSL |
42-15 |
167 |
|
15 |
Cal State Monterey Bay |
43-13 |
154 |
|
16 |
West Chester |
48-13 |
140 |
|
17 |
Molloy |
37-18 |
134 |
|
18 |
Valdosta State |
39-19 |
125 |
|
19 |
Wayne State (Mich.) |
40-16 |
116 |
|
20 |
Carson-Newman |
43-13 |
112 |
|
21 |
Chico State |
39-18 |
106 |
|
22 |
St. Mary's |
44-16 |
70 |
|
23 |
Saint Leo |
37-15 |
65 |
|
24 |
Winona State |
52-13 |
62 |
|
25 |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
46-13 |
44 |
OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES:
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).