National College Softball Editor Justin McLeod’s “Mid-Major” Top 10 is here following Week 1 action.
North Texas jumps into the top spot after an undefeated opening weekend that included wins over Illinois-Chicago, Saint Francis, UConn, and Georgia Tech. The Mean Green run-ruled both Saint Francis and UConn and never trailed Georgia Tech.
Checking in to the second spot are the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns, who enjoyed an undefeated showing of their own on opening week. The Cajuns held the top spot in the preseason MM Top 10, falling one spot through no fault of their own in this week’s list.
Representing Conference USA, the only league to place multiple teams in this week’s ranking, Charlotte came in at #3 this week. The Niners opened their season with back-to-back wins over South Carolina and Miami before falling to Campbell in a 12-inning battle.
In the 4th spot is Central Arkansas out of the ASun. The Bears’ opening week was highlighted by a win over McNeese in Lake Charles.
Making their MM Top 10 debut is Omaha; the upstart Summit League team is 5-0 to begin the year, including wins over Iowa State and twice over Northern Iowa. It’s the Mavs’ best start to a season since 2014.
Southern Illinois are off to an undefeated start of their own, beating Binghamton and UNC Greensboro to close their first weekend in Florida.
Checking in at #7 is Grand Canyon, as the Lopes continued their momentum from the end of the 2022 season. The 5-0 start included three run-rule wins.
A win over Nebraska highlighted South Dakota State‘s opening weekend, a showing that also included a 9-inning loss to Houston.
Presbyterian makes their own inaugural appearance in the MM Top 10 after an opening week showing that included three shutout wins and saw the Blue Hose outscore their opponents 19-2.
Rounding out the Week 1 MM Top 10 is DePaul, the last remaining undefeated squad in the Big East. At their home dome tournament, the Blue Demons outscored opponents 19-10.
ALSO NOTE:
Liberty is easily the best 5-loss team in the country and, despite their record, should still be a juggernaut down the stretch… Southern Miss is off to an undefeated start under new head coach Natalie Poole… the Patriot League places a pair of teams on our watch list after Lehigh upset Alabama and Boston run-ruled South Florida… UT-Arlington started 3-1, including a win over Texas Tech, in Kara Dill’s first weekend as head coach.
