PEMBROKE, N.C. (NCBWA) – After tacking up more than 13 runs per game last week on the way to extending their season-opening win streak out to 11 games, defending national champion Wingate raked in 16 out of a possible 19 first-place votes to strengthen its perch atop the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II Top 25 on Wednesday. Tampa grabbed the remaining three first-place votes to settle into the No. 2 position for the second-straight week.

The Bulldogs continued their season-opening conquest with a 12-3 midweek victory over Belmont Abbey on Tuesday, and then tacked up 42 runs in a weekend sweep of visiting Kutztown. Wingate ranks third, nationally, in runs per game and is listed 14th among more than 300 NCAA Division II teams in scoring (10.8 runs/game). The North Carolina-based school is also listed among the nation’s top 15 in eight other statistical categories as well.

Five new teams entered the NCBWA Division II Top 25 this week, including Lenoir-Rhyne who is among the nation’s top 25 teams for the first time since Week 2 of the 2015 regular season. Rollins is nationally ranked for the first time since Week 2 of the 2019 regular season.

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Dick Howser Trophy, Regional Players of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors Division I Players of the Week, the Stopper of the Year, and publication and writing contests.