PEMBROKE, N.C. (NCBWA) Nova Southeastern,
one of just three undefeated teams still left standing more than
a month into the 2022 season, collected 10 of a possible 19 first-place
votes to assume the top spot in the National Collegiate
Baseball Writers Association Division II Top 25 that was
released on Wednesday.
The Sharks extended their season-opening win streak out to 17
games with five more wins last week in which they outscored opponents
by a nearly 13-2 margin. Nova Southeastern has tacked up more than
11 runs per game (7th NCAA Division II) through its first 17 games
this season, while also sporting the nations 11th-best earned run
average (2.80) as well. NSU is ranked among NCAA Division IIs top
25 teams in 16 other statistical categories as well.
Wingate, which held the top spot in the national rankings for
the last three weeks, still managed to collect seven first-place
votes despite absorbing a Tuesday road loss to Lander. California-based
Point Loma raked in the other two first-place votes after running
its win streak out to five games with a doubleheader sweep of Concordia-Irvine
on Saturday.
Six teams re-entered the poll or made their season debut in the
national ranking on Wednesday. Concordia-Irvine, West Florida, Mercyhurst
and Molloy are back in the Top 25 after short absences this season.
East Stroudsburg is nationally ranked for the first time since March
10 (Week 4) of the 2021 regular season, while North Greenville is
among the nations top 25 teams for the first time this season after
concluding the 2021 campaign in the No. 18 spot.
2022
NCBWA DIVISION II POLL (MARCH 9) |
1. |
Nova Southeastern [10] |
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. |
16-0 |
465 |
4 |
2. |
Wingate [7] |
Wingate, N.C. |
17-2 |
449 |
1 |
3. |
West Texas A&M |
Canyon, Texas |
16-2 |
422 |
2 |
4. |
Point Loma [2] |
San Diego, Calif. |
15-1 |
415 |
5 |
5. |
Tampa |
Tampa, Fla. |
15-2 |
399 |
3 |
6. |
Southern Arkansas |
Magnolia, Ark. |
15-1 |
385 |
8 |
7. |
Trevecca Nazarene |
Nashville, Tenn. |
12-2 |
349 |
7 |
8. |
Columbus State |
Columbus, Ga. |
17-3 |
340 |
9 |
9. |
Colorado Mesa |
Grand Junction, Colo. |
13-3 |
324 |
10 |
10. |
Seton Hill |
Greensburg, Pa. |
6-1 |
295 |
11 |
11. |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
Hickory, N.C. |
20-1 |
261 |
15 |
12. |
Rollins |
Winter Park, Fla. |
15-2 |
245 |
16 |
13. |
Central Missouri |
Warrensburg. Mo. |
11-3 |
233 |
21 |
14. |
Southern New Hampshire |
Manchester, N.H. |
6-2 |
215 |
12 |
15. |
Illinois Springfield |
Springfield, Ill. |
11-3 |
201 |
18 |
16. |
Henderson State |
Arkadelphia, Ark. |
15-2 |
181 |
6 |
17. |
Angelo State |
San Angelo, Texas |
15-5 |
175 |
17 |
18. |
Newberry |
Newberry, S.C. |
18-3 |
171 |
19 |
19. |
East Stroudsburg |
East Stroudsburg, Pa. |
15-2 |
134 |
NR |
20. |
Concordia-Irvine |
Irvine, Calif. |
9-6-1 |
93 |
20 |
21. |
West Florida |
Pensacola, Fla. |
10-6 |
76 |
RV |
22. |
North Greenville |
Tigerville, S.C. |
15-4 |
59 |
NR |
23. |
Mercyhurst |
Erie, Pa. |
5-1 |
57 |
RV |
24. |
MSU Denver |
Denver, Colo. |
12-6 |
47 |
NR |
25. |
Molloy |
Rockville Centre, N.Y. |
6-3 |
42 |
RV |
Also
receiving votes: Augustana (S.D.) (5-1) 27; Cal
State Monterey Bay (11-6) 22; Northwood (9-6) 16; Valdosta
State (12-5) 16; Southern Connecticut State (8-0) 12;
Chico State (12-4) 10; Drury (13-1) 4; North Georgia
(12-5) 4; Texas A&M Kingsville (14-4) 2; West Chester
(8-2) 2; Florida Tech (15-5) 1. |
Dropped
out: Colorado School of Mines (13); Chico State
(14); West Chester (22); Lubbock Christian (23); Franklin
Pierce (24); North Georgia (25). |
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.
|