MSU Softball Receives Program-Best No. 15 National Ranking
February 19, 2008 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. ? The Mississippi State softball team received its highest ranking in program history Tuesday as it climbed to No. 15 in both the USA Today/NFCA and the ESPN.com/USA Softball top 25 polls.
State, which is off to a school second-best 11-0 start, jumped seven spots from 22nd in the NFCA rankings and six slots from No. 21 in the latest USA Softball poll.
"These rankings are a testament to this team's start to the season," MState head coach Jay Miller said. "They have played extremely well and it's nice for that to be recognized for that, but we want to be ranked in that final poll of the season. We strive to improve each week, and that is something this team has done so far and is continuing to do."
The No. 15 rating in the NFCA poll is the best for an MSU squad since the 2000 contingent rose to No. 19 on Mar. 29. The Bulldogs' highest ranking in the USA Softball poll came in 2006 when the team climbed to No. 22 after opening the year with a program-best 16-straight wins.
MSU travels to Macon, Ga., this weekend for the Mercer Wingate Inn Classic. The Bulldogs open the three-day tournament with Western Kentucky, who is receiving votes in both polls. San Diego State, who was handed its only loss by the Bulldogs on Feb. 9, debuted in the USA Softball poll at No. 25.
