PEMBROKE, N.C. (NCBWA) Five consecutive victories over top 15-ranked teams not only pushed Wingate to its first national championship in program history, but also helped the Bulldogs secure all 19 first-place votes to vault atop the final National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II Top 25 on Monday.
The Bulldogs were the biggest movers in the national poll, hopping 15 spots to No. 1 just the second top-10 listing for the program in the NCBWA Division II Top 25 since the North Carolina-based school checked in at No. 9 on Feb. 28, 2018 (Week 2). National runner-up Central Missouri nestled into the No. 2 position in the poll, while Tampa, Angelo State and Seton Hill rounded out the top 5.
Southern Arkansas (No. 21) and Davenport (No. 24) were the only new entries in the final national poll of the 2021 season. It is the first appearance in the top 25 for either program since March 3 (Week 3).
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.