LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A red-hot Southern Arkansas rises to No. 1 in the latest NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, announced by the Association on Wednesday. Riding a 16-game winning streak, the Muleriders (22-2) captured 10 of a possible 16 first-place votes and 392 points. 

Previous No. 1 Augustana, No. 2 UT Tyler and No. 3 Rollins fell to fourth, fifth and ninth, respectively, while Chico State and North Georgia improved to No. 2 and No. 3 to complete a new top five. Entering the poll for the first time this season is No. 22 Saginaw Valley State (16-2), which has won nine straight, including a 9-3 victory over the then-No. 1 Vikings (10-3).

SAU moved to the top spot from No. 5 after its second straight Great American Conference four-game sweep. The Muleriders blanked Southeastern Oklahoma twice and outscored the Savage Storm, 41-6.

The second-ranked Wildcats (19-2) took three of four at California Collegiate Athletic Association foe San Francisco State (10-1, 8-1, 4-7, 5-3). The NightHawks (23-4) picked up four home wins, three against Texas A&M-Kingsville (6-1, 7-2, 2-1 in 9 inn.) and one over Wisconsin-Parkside (3-2).

Augustana opened its spring break trip to Florida with a 2-1 mark, earning up wins over Adelphi (4-1) and Malone (9-0). The fourth-ranked Patriots suffered three Lone Star Conference (LSC) road losses as they were swept by then-No. 21 Tarleton State (0-3, 6-10) and split with Midwestern State (9-2, 5-7). 

Young Harris remained at No. 6 with Angelo State moving into the seventh spot. The Mountain Lions (17-3) triumphed twice at home over Shaw (14-0, 12-1) and Emmanuel (8-0, 6-4), while the Rambelles (19-6) knocked off LSC foes St. Mary’s three times (4-0, 6-3, 10-7) and St. Edward’s twice (8-0, 7-3).

Making a big jump from No. 15 to No. 8 is Saint Leo, while Sunshine State compatriot Rollins is right behind the Lions (19-7) at No. 9. Saint Leo took two-of-three (1-0, 1-4, 3-0) from the Tars (21-3) in Winter Park and also won four mid-week affairs, defeating Tiffin (3-2, 3-2) and Wilmington (11-0, 2-0). Rollins went 3-1 in mid-week non-conference action, sweeping Wilmington in a pair of nine-inning contests (8-7, 6-5) and splitting against Adelphi (4-5, 6-3).

Texas A&M University-Commerce is back in the top-10 at No. 10. The Lions (16-7) enjoyed a 5-1 week with three wins over nationally-ranked opponents. They swept a road doubleheader at then-No. 11 Rogers State (7-2, 7-1) before returning home, sweeping Cameron (2-1, 11-3) and splitting with then-No. 18 Oklahoma Christian (3-1, 3-4).

UC San Diego returns to the fold at No. 23, while then-No. 16 Indianapolis and then-No. 23 Cal State Dominguez Hills dropped out.

The 2020 NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the eight NCAA regions. Records reflect games played through March 8.

2020 NFCA Division II
Top 25 Coaches Poll – March 11 (Week 4)

New to Poll: No. 22 Saginaw Valley State, No. 23 UC San Diego.

Dropped Out: No. 16 Indianapolis, No. 23 Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Receiving Votes: Indianapolis (21), Central Missouri (7), Tampa (4), Coker (3), Grand Valley State (3), Sonoma State (3), Francis Marion (2), MSU Denver (2), Cal State Dominguez Hills (1).

The 2020 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the NCAA’s eight regions. Records reflect games played through March 8 with first-place votes in parentheses.