Softball Cats Slide To No.18 In NAIA Poll

The Rogers State softball team fell 11 spots to No. 18 in the fourth regular-season edition of the 2013 NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, announced by the national office this week.

The Hillcats suffered a trio of losses to then-No.20 St. Gregory's last week. With the wins the Cavaliers catapulted five spots to No. 15. On a 27-game win streak, Lubbock Christian checks in at the third spot with 527 points. The Lady Chaps grabbed the remaining two first-place nods for the second-straight time. First place in the Sooner Athletic Conference is up for grabs this weekend as Lubbock Christian collides with No. 6 Oklahoma City in a four-game set. Currently, the Lady Chaps are in first-place by two games over the Stars.

With 18 first-place votes, Concordia (Calif.) remains at No. 1 with 559 total points and a 36-3 overall record. For the fourth-straight time, Cal State San Marcos holds in the No. 2 position with 531 points. The Cougars are 12-1 in their last 13 contests and hold a 60-12 scoring advantage during that span.

No. 4 Lee posted 510 total points and faces a tough week. The Flames host No. 10 Belhaven (Miss.) Thursday before No. 12 William Carey (Miss.) comes to Cleveland, Tenn., Saturday. Leaders in the American Midwest Conference standings, Williams Baptist remains steady at No. 5.

No. 10 Belhaven highlights the poll with the biggest upward movement, jumping from No. 16 last week. The Blazers improved to 6-3 against the Top 25 with a 6-1 win against then-No. 6 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) April 5.

Thirteen of 21 conferences/independent/unaffiliated groupings are represented in the poll. The SSAC leads the way with six programs within the Top 25: Lee, No. 7 Auburn Montgomery, Belhaven, William Carey, No. 16 Brenau (Ga.) and No. 23 Spring Hill (Ala.). The Sooner Athletic Conference claims four ranked teams.

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences /independent /unaffiliated groupings. The fifth regular-season Top 25 will be announced on April 16.

Rogers State (36-9) returns to action on Wednesday as the Cats travel to Oklahoma Wesleyan for a doubleheader starting a 5 p.m.