March 4, 2010

NFCA National Poll

STARKVILLE, Miss. – For the first time in the history of the program, Cal State Monterey Bay's softball team is nationally ranked. After starting the season with a 9-3 record, the Otters made their debut on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll ranked 17th.

“We are excited about the ranking,” said head coach #Andrea Kenney#. “This is motivation for us to continue our hard work.”

The Otters are the only team representing California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in this week's poll.

CSUMB began the season with a 7-1 loss to newly No. 7 nationally-ranked Grand Canyon in the Mizuno Best of the West Invitational in Turlock. The Otters bounced back by shutting out then No. 11 Humboldt State, 2-0, later that day.

In the first weekend of conference play, CSUMB swept Cal State Stanislaus in a four-game series in Turlock. The Otters continued its winning-ways with 3-1 series victory over Chico State the next weekend in front of their home crowd.

CSUMB split a doubleheader on Thursday, Feb. 25 against Academy of Art in non-conference action.

The softball team is the third CSUMB team to be nationally ranked. The men's golf earned a national ranking in 2006-07; the women's golf team followed the next year.

The Otters take to their home field again on Friday, March 5, beginning a four-game conference series against Cal State San Bernardino. The first pitch is 1 p.m.