LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the first time in program history, the University of Tampa is No. 1. The Spartans (32-2) overtook North Georgia for the top spot in this week’s 2023 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll. 

Coming off a Sunshine State Conference sweep of Eckerd, UT ran its win streak to 11 games and has won 17 of its last 18 games. The Spartans, who received 12 of a possible 16 first-place votes, blanked the Tritons over 20 innings by a combined score of 14-0, bringing their season shutout total to 16. Over the three games, Tampa’s pitching staff scattered 14 hits, all singles, and struck out 17 batters.

The second-ranked NightHawks (44-4), who received the final four first-place votes, posted a 5-1 week, knocking off Columbus State to salvage game three in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) series. UNG also split a non-conference twibill with Auburn-Montgomery and swept Georgia College in PBC action.

No. 3 UT Tyler returned to action and captured a pair of Lone Star Conference series, sweeping St. Mary’s on the road and Western New Mexico at home. 

UAH leaped over Central Oklahoma for No. 4. The Chargers (36-7) swept then-No. 9 Valdosta State in a key top-10 Gulf South Conference series, sandwiching a pair of one-run wins around an 8-0 triumph.

The Bronchos (33-6) swept No. 8 Rogers State and split with Northeastern State in a pair of MIAA doubleheaders. 

No. 6 Indianapolis and No. 7 Grand Valley State each went 5-0 last week. The Greyhounds (41-4) recorded four shutouts and outscored the opposition 33-1, while the Lakers (30-3) posted three shutouts and outscored their opponents, 35-4.

No. 9 Colorado Christian and No. 10 Sonoma State joined the top 10 for the first time this season. The Cougars (45-3) went on the road and swept a key Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference series from MSU Denver, while the Seawolves (33-8) earned another California Collegiate Athletic Association series victory versus Chico State.

Also making moves up the poll and inching closer to the top 10 are No. 11 Saint Leo (36-7) and West Texas A&M (40-5). Valdosta State and Lubbock Christian fell out of the top 10, dipping to No. 13 and No. 16, respectively.

Missouri Southern State makes its first appearance in the poll, tying Wilmington for the 25^th spot. The newly-ranked Lions (31-8) swept then-No. 20 Washburn to extend their win streak to 12 before having it snapped at Emporia State. They did rebound and split the MIAA twinbill.

The 2023 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by the NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll Committee. The committee consists of 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the NCAA’s eight regions. Records reflect games played through April 9, 2023.

2023 NFCA Division II Top 25 Softball Coaches Poll

April 18 (Week 10)

New to Poll: t-No. 25 Missouri Southern

Dropped Out: No. 20 Washburn

Receiving Votes: West Chester (5), Nova Southeastern (3), Washburn (3), Southern Arkansas (1).

The 2023 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by the NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll Committee. The committee consists of 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the NCAA’s eight regions. Records reflect games played through April 16, 2023.

Celebrating 40 years in 2023, the NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and National Convention. 

Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 6,700 coaches today!