UCO Athletics
Chris Brannick, Director of Sports Media Relations
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the first time since 2014 the Central Oklahoma softball team is the No. 1-ranked team in NCAA Division II.
The Bronchos had been second in the last five National Fastpitch Coaches Association polls before ascending to the top of the weekly rankings Wednesday after previous No. 1 West Florida lost its only two games last week. UCO — which went 3-1 last week and is 38-4 on the season — received seven first-place votes and finished with 384 points in balloting of 16 head coaches from around the country, edging the Argonauts (39-7) by one point.
West Florida also had seven first-place votes, while Texas A&M-Kingsville (36-8) collected the final two and ended up with 376 points.
Central was last ranked No. 1 in the 2014 preseason poll following its national championship season of 2013.
“It’s obviously great for our program and something we’re really proud of, but at this point it doesn’t really mean anything,” head coach Cody White said. “You win the national championship on the field and that’s something we continue to strive for.”
The Bronchos finish up the regular season this weekend with four Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association games. UCO, which leads the league at 20-2, goes to Missouri Southern for a Friday doubleheader before taking on Pittsburg State in a Saturday twinbill.