National College Softball Editor Justin McLeod’s “Mid-Major” Top 10 is here following Week 8 action.
After appearing in the top 10 since the rankings’ inception, USC Upstate rises to the top of the list following Week 8. The Spartans are 34-3 on the year and have dominated their competition.
UNLVÂ rises after a weekend sweep against Boise State, but faltered in a defeat to Dixie State on Tuesday night that kept them from ascending to the top spot. The Rebels dominated previously top-ranked Boise in a three-game conference series.
In at #3 is Western Kentucky, as the Hilltoppers swept past FIU in a tight C-USA series. The Toppers recovered well after faltering a week ago.
Boise State falls from the top spot to #4 following being swept at home by UNLV; the Broncos had a terrific non-conference slate and start to league play, but took their lumps this weekend. The squad nearly doubled their season’s loss total in the 3-game series.
Standing firm at #5 are the North Texas Mean Green. UNT owns a .750 winning percentage on the season and have done a solid job in conference play.
Weber State also stays put at #6 in the rankings; the Wildcats went 3-1 last week, dropping an 11-10 game to Utah State before sweeping through a conference series against Idaho State, outscoring the Bengals 26-16.
Checking in for the first time this season in this week’s rankings is UNC Greensboro, who were 5-0 last week with a doubleheader sweep of Radford and a 3-game conference series sweep against Western Carolina. The Spartans are riding a 9-game winning streak and was undefeated in SoCon play.
At #8 in this week’s rankings is Liberty. The Flames swept a conference series against Bellarmine on the road, posting a pair of shutouts and a run-rule win. The Flames also took a midweek game against ACC foe Louisville.
Ranked for the second consecutive week and in at #9 this week is South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits won two out of three games against rival South Dakota, but responded to a series-opening loss with a 20-0 shutout win in game two of the series before winning the rubber match on Sunday.
Finishing out the top 10 is George Washington. The Colonials reach the rankings for the first time this season, as they ride an 11-game winning streak that includes a 9-0 perfect start to conference play.
ALSO NOTE:
Boston U continues to win this season and now sit ten games above the .500 mark… a pair of Conference USA schools, Marshall and Middle Tennessee, join the noteworthy section for the first time this year… Delaware swept a conference series over Elon in a noteworthy CAA performance… San Diego State, Cal State Fullerton, and Loyola Marymount are three West coast teams that played star-studded non-conference slates and their win-loss records show it. SDSU would likely be #11 if these rankings went beyond the top 10.
