DALLAS (NCBWA) A stretch that has it capturing 20 of its last 21 games paid dividends for North Greenville on Tuesday afternoon when the Crusaders raked in 12 first-place votes to climb atop the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II Top 25. North Greenville becomes the fifth team this season to attain the coveted No. 1 position.
While sporting an impressive 19-4 clip in their home stadium, North Greenville has dropped just one game away from Tigerville, S.C., in 2019 and extended their overall win streak out to eight games with a road sweep of King over the weekend. The Crusaders boast the nations top-scoring offense (9.5 runs/game), while also showcasing the country·s fourth-best staff ERA (3.05).
Five new teams entered or re-entered the Top 25, including Adelphi who moved into the poll for the first time since April 13, 2010 (Week 7). Arkansas Monticello (No. 11) jumps into the poll for the first time since Week 6 of the 2018 season after stretching its win streak out to 18 games with a road sweep of Oklahoma Baptist.
North Georgia (No. 25) makes it season debut in the poll this week as well its first appearance in the NCBWA Top 25 since the 2018 preseason ranking.
Embry-Riddle (No. 14) and Augustana (No. 20) re-entered the national ranking this week after short absences.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Dick Howser Trophy, Regional Players of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors Division I Players of the Week, the Stopper of the Year, and publication and writing contests.