LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rogers State continued its unanimous hold on the No. 1 spot and the top five remained the same in this week’s 2023 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll. Additionally, No. 13 Harding, No. 19 Wingate and No. 21 Carson-Newman make their first appearance in the 2023 rankings.

The Hillcats (18-1) enjoyed an undefeated Spring Break trip to Florida, picking up six wins, which included four shutouts and a single-game scoring record when it defeated Tiffin 24-3.

No. 2 North Georgia, No. 3 Tampa and No. 4 UT Tyler were also undefeated. The NightHawks (20-1) were one of five top-25 programs to hit the 20-win plateau last week. UNG posted five home wins, two against Shorter and three in Peach Belt Conference play versus USC Aiken.

The third-ranked Spartans (11-0) remained undefeated with a three-game Sunshine State Conference sweep at Embry-Riddle, while the No. 4 Patriots (19-3) knocked off Southeastern Oklahoma State in a twinbill, before taking all three from then-No. 22 West Texas A&M in Lone Star Conference (LSC) action.

No. 5 Cal State San Marcos (13-4) won its California Collegiate Athletic Conference series against Chico State, taking three-of-four from the Wildcats at home.

Central Oklahoma and Grand Valley State each moved up to No. 6 and No. 7, while No. 8 Indianapolis and No. 9 UAH joined the top 10. The Bronchos (14-3) enjoyed a 6-0 week, while the Lakers (6-1) opened its Spring Break trip 1-1. The Greyhounds (16-2) swept road doubleheaders from Wheeling and Salem, while the Chargers (16-4) took two-of-three from Montevallo in Gulf South Conference action.

Lubbock Christian dipped three spots to No. 7 after being swept by new-No. 25 Oklahoma Christian in LSC play.

13^th-ranked Harding swept then-No. 6 Southern Arkansas with 3-2 (8 inn.), 7-5 and 4-0 triumphs. The Bisons (18-3) have won five straight and 14 of their last 15 contests.

Wingate swept a pair of South Atlantic Conference twinbills from Newberry and UVA Wise to extend its win streak to six games. The 19^th-ranked Bulldogs (20-5) have now won 16 of their last 17 contests.

No. 21 Carson-Newman enters the rankings having won 10 of their last 12 games with two of the Eagles’ (17-3) three defeats have come against nationally-ranked programs.

Dropping out of the top 25 this week are No. 10 Seton Hill, No. 21 Lenoir-Rhyne, No. 24 Wilmington and No. 25 St. Mary’s.

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 March 5, 2023.

2023 NFCA Division II Top 25 Softball Coaches Poll

March 7 (Week 4)

New to Poll: No. 13 Harding, No. 19 Wingate, No. 21 Carson-Newman, No. 25 Oklahoma Christian

Dropped Out: No. 10 Seton Hill, No. 21 Lenoir-Rhyne, No. 24 Wilmington, No. 25 St. Mary’s.

Receiving Votes: Seton Hill (29), Wilmington (19), Lenoir-Rhyne (15), Nova Southeastern (5), Oklahoma Baptist (4), St. Mary’s (2).

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 March 5, 2023.

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