National College Softball Editor Justin McLeod’s “Mid-Major” Top 10 is here following Week 7 action. There’s a new number one in the Top 10 this week, and for the first time all season, it’s not a Conference USA team.
Boise State takes over the top spot in the rankings as the Broncos continue their impressive run this season. This week’s efforts included a run-rule win on the road at UC Davis and a 3-game series sweep of Nevada.
Climbing to their highest ranking of the season is USC Upstate, who come in at #2 this week. The Spartans are already knocking on the door of the 30-win plateau, checking in at 29-3 on the season.
It’s the Mountain West that reigns supreme in this week’s rankings, with UNLV checking in at #3 overall. The Rebels are 24-6 on the season, came from behind to beat Dixie State in a midweek clash, and swept San Diego in a three-game, non-conference series.
Western Kentucky falls to #4 in the rankings after losing two out of three games in their series against Florida Atlantic. The Hilltoppers also took a major hit in the RPI after dropping the pair to the Owls; this weekend was the first major blemish on their record this season.
Another C-USA team checks in at #5; North Texas returns to the top 10 after taking a series win over Charlotte in Charlotte. The battle of C-USA top teams certainly went the Mean Green’s way, including a 9-run comeback in game two of the set that clinched the series win.
Weber State has become a mainstay in the Mid-Major Top 10 and the Wildcats maintain that status once again this week, moving up a spot after splitting a two-game set with PAC-12 foe Utah this weekend. Weber has really shown up against top teams this season, a big reason why they are so consistent in this top 10.
For the first time this season, Liberty checks into this week’s top 10, coming in at #7. The Flames have rebounded from an 0-5 start to the year and, while perhaps not totally up to their old dominant ways, have righted the ship, including a three-game sweep of conference foe North Alabama this weekend.
Coming in at #8 is South Dakota State; the defending Summit League champions enjoyed a 10-game winning streak on the west coast and opened conference play this week by taking a series win over Omaha. The Mavericks were the team that gave SDSU the most trouble en route to the NCAA tournament last season, so the series was a major “get” for the Jackrabbits.
Yet another first-time appearer in the top 10 is UNCW, as the Seahawks are now 20-6 on the year and began conference play with a series win over Delaware. UNCW has had a quality start to the season, and the two victories over Delaware finally got them over the hump and into the top 10.
Rounding out this week’s top 10 is another newcomer, from the Ohio Valley (for now), Murray State. The Racers have started the year 24-8, with a 3-game sweep over UT-Martin and a tight doubleheader sweep their most recent results. A pair of aces in the circle have been of the greatest benefit to the Racers, as they sport a team ERA of 1.09 on the year.
ALSO NOTE:
Charlotte falls into the “extras” category after another weekend of struggling in conference play; the Niners took just one of three from North Texas at home this week… UNCG, Loyola Marymount, and Central Arkansas have all had some tough losses, but all three are making solid cases and knocking on the door of the top 10… BYU enjoyed a 3-game series sweep over future conference mate Iowa State this weekend… George Washington has looked very good in conference play and has two of their toughest series’ out of the way already, sweeping past both Fordham and Saint Joseph’s… four teams check into the graphic for the first time this season: UAB, Tennessee Tech, Miami Ohio, and Abilene Christian all merited some consideration in this week’s overall rankings.
