Alabama in the Rankings: Week 4
3/5/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 5, 2013
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama softball team (22-0) stayed the same in the polls this week as the Tide remained atop the USA Today/NFCA Poll and stayed No. 2 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25, both organizations announced Tuesday.
During a weekend in which top-10 teams Oklahoma (18-1), Arizona State (21-1) and Texas A&M (22-1) all suffered their initial defeats of the 2013 campaign, the last remaining Top 25 unbeaten, defending national champion Alabama (22-0), strengthened its hold on the top of the rankings.
Via the benefit of another perfect 6-0 week, the Crimson Tide reaped 27 of 31 possible first-place nods, extending its advantage over the second-rated Sooners from just nine to 29 total points. OU held onto four first-place votes after going 3-1 at its home-hosted Spring Preview Tourney in Norman, Okla. Following commanding victories over Houston (6-0) and Nebraska (10-3), Oklahoma’s win streak to begin the year concluded at 17 consecutive games by falling to the Cornhuskers during a Saturday rematch, 1-0.
Arizona State (21-1) holds steady at No. 3 despite being dealt its first loss of the season in a 6-2 decision to now 20th-rated Baylor. Florida (22-1) tallied six wins this past week, including five during its own Florida Tournament in Gainesville, Fla., to remain in the fourth spot. Weather wreaked havoc at No. 5 Missouri (9-1) as the Tigers’ All-Missouri Cancer Classic event in Columbia, Mo., was cancelled.
California (15-2) and Texas A&M (22-1) each climbed two positions to sixth and seventh, respectively, while Tennessee (19-3) dropped a notch to No. 8. Oregon beat a pair of rated teams in LSU and Michigan at the Citrus Classic in Kissimmee, Fla., to rise a slot to ninth. Texas (19-3) dropped a pair of its five total contests during the week, losing to Hofstra (2-7) and Fordham (7-9), to suffer the week’s largest overall drop, plummeting from fifth to 10th in the latest poll.
Only one squad fell from last week’s ratings as previously 25th-ranked Florida State (13-8) went just 3-2 at its Renegade Classic in Tallahassee, Fla., to drop into the category of “others receiving votes.” Going 5-1 this past week with its lone loss coming at the hands of No. 3 Arizona State at the Wilson-DeMarini Invitational in Tempe, Ariz., North Carolina (15-6) re-enters the rankings for the first time since February 12 at No. 25.
Despite suffering its first loss of the season, the Oklahoma Sooners narrowly remain No. 1 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll after four weeks of action, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced today. The Sooners (18-1) received 10 first place votes after going 3-1 over the weekend. They suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday to the then-No. 25 Nebraska Cornhuskers with a 1-0 defeat in Norman.
Just two-points behind also earning 10 first place votes, the defending National Champions Alabama (22-0) were perfect with a 6-0 record including four run-rule victories as they hosted the Easton Classic in Tuscaloosa. The Sun Devils of Arizona State (21-1) stayed strong at No. 3 for the fourth consecutive week even after suffering a 6-2 defeat and season first loss at the hands of a now-No. 17 Baylor. The Florida Gators (22-1) held strong at No. 4 this week with a 3-1 mid-week win over South Florida and then five more wins at the University of Florida tournament they hosted in Gainesville.
Maintaining their place at No. 5 is the Texas A&M Aggies (22-1), despite suffering their first loss of the season to No. 14 Michigan. At No. 6 is the California Golden Bears (15-2) who outscored opponents 27-7 at the Easton Invitational in Fullerton, Calif.
2012 NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS) top eight finalist the Oregon Ducks (19-3) jumped ahead to No. 8 this week from No. 12 after an impressive six-win weekend at the Citrus Classic. The Ducks scored 10 or more runs in four of its games and garnered two ranked wins over a then-No. 11 LSU (10-2 in 6 innings) and Michigan (12-1 win).
No. 11 Texas (19-3) dropped three spots this week after recording a 3-2 record at the Citrus Classic with losses to Hofstra and Fordham. The Louisville Cardinals (16-3) moved ahead three places to No. 13 with four wins and one loss, including two run-rule victories.
No. 15 Kentucky (16-3) moved up two notches with five wins at the Under Armour Invitational in Tampa, Fla. while a now-No. 18 Louisiana Lafayette (15-5) saw the week’s largest move dropping from No. 13. The Ragin Cajuns played in the Citrus Classic and suffered three losses to Texas A&M, Texas, and Illinois State respectively.
Rounding out the poll at No. 25 is North Carolina (15-6) who makes its first appearance of the year going 5-1 over the week including a 3-0 blank over Baylor at the Wilson/DeMarini tournament in Tempe, Ariz. Previously ranked No. 24 Georgia dropped out of this week’s poll.
