LOUISVILLE, Ky. – West Texas A&M continued its undefeated start as it swept a Lone Star Conference road series from Midwestern State to keep a firm hold on the No. 1 ranking in this week’s NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, announced by the Association on Wednesday morning.
The Lady Buffs (24-0), receiving 15 first-place votes and 399 points, opened the four-game set with an 8-0 shutout of the Mustangs. The final three contests were closer as WT held on for 5-2 and 6-3 wins, and used an eighth-inning grand slam off the bat of senior Lacey Taylor to complete the sweep with a 7-3 triumph.
Indianapolis (381), University of Alabama in Huntsville (372), Humboldt State (347), Arkansas Tech (336), North Alabama (317), University of Missouri-St. Louis (308), Georgia College (292) and California Baptist (251) held firm at No. 2-9, while last week’s No. 10 St. Mary’s matched the Lancers’ point total to tie for ninth.
The undefeated Greyhounds (13-0) completed a 6-0 week at the PFX Spring Games in Clermont, Fla. by picking up wins over Gannon (14-0), Lake Superior State (8-0), Notre Dame College (4-2), Seton Hill (1-0), Wheeling Jesuit (6-1) and Findlay (4-1).
UAH swept a three-game Gulf South Conference series from Christian Brothers in dominating fashion at home. The Chargers (21-3) outscored the Lady Bucs, 38-10, which included a 17-0 blanking in the opener. No. 3 Humboldt State’s four-game CCAA series against No. 23 UC San Diego was cancelled, while the Golden Suns (20-1) marched on with a four-game road sweep of Great American Conference foe Southern Nazarene (6-4, 6-4, 5-0, 7-2). In doing so, Arkansas Tech (pictured) extended its winning streak to 18 games.
The Lions (24-4) trumped then-RV West Florida in a three-game Gulf South series at home with 3-0, 7-3 and 14-5 triumphs. UMSL (16-1) also posted an undefeated trip to the PFX Spring Games going 5-0 and allowing just one run. The Tritons posted four shutouts and outscored their opposition, 26-1.
Georgia College (20-4) went 6-1, including a 4-1 outing at the Shaw Softball Challenge. California Baptist (16-4) split a PacWest twinbill with league newcomer Concordia (Calif.), while St. Mary’s (18-5) swept a three-game road Heartland Conference series from Texas-Permian Basin.
Making its way into the top-25 for the first time this season is Angelo State (18-5) at No. 22, while Southern Indiana (11-6) returns after appearing in this year’s preseason poll.
The NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches, two representing each of the eight NCAA regions. Records reflect games played through March 6.
2016 NFCA Division II Softball Coaches Poll
Regular Season (Week 3) | March 9, 2016
| Rank | Team | Points | 2016 Record | Last Poll |
| 1 | West Texas A&M (15) | 399 | 24-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Indianapolis (1) | 381 | 13-0 | 2 |
| 3 | UAH | 372 | 21-3 | 3 |
| 4 | Humboldt State | 347 | 13-1-1 | 4 |
| 5 | Arkansas Tech | 336 | 20-1 | 5 |
| 6 | North Alabama | 317 | 24-4 | 6 |
| 7 | Missouri-St. Louis | 308 | 16-1 | 7 |
| 8 | Georgia College | 292 | 20-4 | 8 |
| 9 | St. Mary's | 251 | 18-5 | 10 |
| 9 | California Baptist | 251 | 16-4 | 9 |
| 11 | Saint Leo | 247 | 16-1 | 11 |
| 12 | North Georgia | 227 | 22-5 | 13 |
| 13 | West Virginia Wesleyan | 207 | 12-2 | 14 |
| 14 | California (Pa.) | 181 | 7-1 | 15 |
| 15 | Caldwell | 173 | 0-0 | 16 |
| 16 | Winona State | 162 | 10-2 | 20 |
| 17 | Valdosta State | 130 | 17-6-1 | 21 |
| 18 | Lenoir Rhyne | 101 | 15-3 | 19 |
| 19 | Dixie State | 100 | 13-7 | 18 |
| 20 | Southern New Hampshire | 75 | 0-0 | 22 |
| 21 | West Chester | 73 | 14-0 | 24 |
| 22 | Angelo State | 69 | 18-5 | RV |
| 23 | UC San Diego | 56 | 14-6 | 23 |
| 24 | Central Oklahoma | 32 | 13-7 | 12 |
| 25 | Southern Indiana | 26 | 11-6 |
New To Poll: No. 22 Angelo State, No. 25 Southern Indiana
Dropped Out: No. 17 Catawba, No. 25 Tarleton State
Receiving Votes: Northwest Missouri State (25), Florida Tech (23), LIU Post (20), New Haven (7), Cameron (6), Missouri Western (4), Delta State (2).
