Lion Softball cracks top 5 in national rankings for first time in program history
February 20, 2019
By Tyler McDonough | Sports Editor
Louisville, Ky.- The Texas A&M University-Commerce Softball team has reached the top 5 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) polls. It is the highest ranking the Lions have ever reached and the first time the Lions have ever cracked the top 5. The Lions moved up four spots from ninth.
The Lions are coming off two straight sweeps after winning two games against Arkansas Tech, and three games this past weekend against MSU-Texas. The Lions outscored their opponents in those two series 38-2. The Lions hit four home runs (two grand slams) versus MSU-Texas, including a no-hitter from Emily Otto in game 3 of the series. The game 3 victory was also Head Coach Richie Bruister’s 500th win.
The Lions are 12-1 on the season and 3-0 to start off Lone Star Conference play. Angelo State moved up to the top spot in the nation after being ranked sixth to start the year. Tarleton State moves up from 14th to 8th.
The Lions will be back in action today as they open up a two-game non-conference series in Commerce at the John Cain Family Softball Complex. Games are set to be at 2 P.M. and 4 P.M. Emily Otto was also named the Fastpitch News Pitcher of the Week as she improved her record to 7-0 following her no-hitter. Katie Dean will pitch in game two as she looks to improve to 5-0 on the year.
From lionathletics.com :
2019 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll – Feb. 20 (Week 1)
| Rank | School (First Place) | Points | 2019 Record | Previous Week |
| 1 | Angelo State (8) | 381 | 13-1 | 6 |
| 2 | Saint Anselm (4) | 374 | 5-0 | 4 |
| 3 | North Georgia (3) | 356 | 12-3 | 3 |
| 4 | Southern Arkansas (1) | 348 | 9-3 | 2 |
| 5 | Texas A&M-Commerce | 336 | 12-1 | 9 |
| 6 | Chico State | 321 | 6-1 | 7 |
| 7 | Valdosta State | 303 | 10-2 | 22 |
| 8 | Tarleton State | 283 | 11-2 | 14 |
| 9 | Concordia Irvine | 279 | 4-1 | 10 |
| 10 | West Florida | 244 | 13-1 | NR |
| 11 | Carson-Newman | 230 | 9-0 | NR |
| 12 | Illinois-Springfield | 222 | 6-2 | 12 |
| 13 | Dixie State | 191 | 6-1 | 17 |
| 14 | Florida Tech | 183 | 10-2 | NR |
| 15 | Winona State | 176 | 0-0 | 15 |
| 16 | Grand Valley State | 160 | 0-0 | 16 |
| 17 | UC San Diego | 147 | 9-2 | 23 |
| 18 | Young Harris | 144 | 7-3 | 13 |
| 19 | Central Oklahoma | 128 | 13-1 | NR |
| 20 | UAH | 80 | 10-5 | 11 |
| 21 | Cal State San Bernardino | 72 | 7-0 | NR |
| 22 | Colorado Mesa | 56 | 7-3 | 21 |
| 23 | Southern New Hampshire | 50 | 5-1 | RV |
| 24 | Gannon | 32 | 0-0 | 24 |
| 25 | Augustana | 31 | 5-3 | 25 |
