WINGATE, N.C. (NCBWA) – The back-to-back defending national champion Tampa Spartans are the top-ranked team in this week’s NCBWA Division II top 25 poll. Tampa was the preseason number one, while ranking first in each of the first two in-season polls. The Spartans are off to an 8-0 start, receiving all 20 first-place votes.
UT Tyler moves up two spots to number two this week, with North Greenville checking in at number three for the second straight week. Pittsburg State moves up two spots to fourth, while Catawba jumps six spots to round out the top five.
Central Missouri and Cal State Monterey Bay are sixth and seventh, while Grand Valley State jumps out seven spots to number eight. Colorado Mesa is up three spots to check in at number nine, while Lenoir-Rhyne rounds out the top 10.
There are six new teams in this week’s poll, led by #11 West Alabama and #14 Augustana, along with 15th-ranked North Georgia. IN addition, Illinois-Springfield, Emporia State and Angelo State check in at 19th, 22nd and 24th, respectively.
The NCBWA Region polls will be announced every Monday throughout the season, while national polls will come out every Wednesday.
| NCBWA DIVISION II POLL (FEB. 18) | |||||
| Rk. | School [1st place] | Location | Record | Pts. | Pvs. |
| 1. | Tampa [20] | Tampa, Fla. | 8-0 | 500 | 1 |
| 2. | UT Tyler | Tyler, Texas | 8-1 | 456 | 4 |
| 3. | North Greenville | Tigerville, S.C. | 10-1 | 453 | 3 |
| 4. | Pittsburg State | Pittsburg, Kan. | 10-0 | 442 | 6 |
| 5. | Catawba | Salisbury, N.C. | 7-1 | 419 | 11 |
| 6. | Central Missouri | Warrensburg, Mo. | 8-2 | 390 | 2 |
| 7. | Cal State Monterey Bay | Seaside, Calif. | 8-3 | 365 | 8 |
| 8. | Grand Valley State | Allendale, Mich. | 3-1 | 325 | 15 |
| 9. | Colorado Mesa | Grand Junction, Colo. | 6-2 | 310 | 12 |
| 10. | Lenoir-Rhyne | Hickory, N.C. | 5-1 | 302 | 5 |
| 11. | West Alabama | Livingston, Ala. | 10-0 | 294 | RV |
| 12. | Point Loma | San Diego, Calif. | 8-3 | 231 | 20 |
| 13. | Seton Hill | Greensburg, Pa. | 2-0 | 229 | 19 |
| 14. | Augustana | Sioux Falls, S.D. | 8-0 | 221 | RV |
| 15. | North Georgia | Dahlonega, Ga. | 10-1 | 189 | RV |
| 16. | Barry | Miami Shores, Fla. | 9-2 | 187 | 22 |
| 17. | Felician | Rutherford, N.J. | 1-3 | 184 | 16 |
| 18. | MSU Denver | Denver, Colo. | 9-2 | 173 | 23 |
| 19. | Illinois Springfield | Springfield, Ill. | 5-2 | 118 | RV |
| 20. | Belmont Abbey | Belmont, N.C. | 6-1 | 116 | 21 |
| 21. | Millersville | Millersville, Pa. | 4-3 | 102 | 25 |
| 22. | Emporia State | Emporia, Kan. | 9-1 | 94 | NR |
| 23. | West Florida | Ferry Pass, Fla. | 7-2 | 74 | 10 |
| 24. | Angelo State | San Angelo, Texas | 7-3 | 62 | RV |
| 25. | Thomas Jefferson | Philadelphia, Pa. | 0-0 | 57 | 24 |
Also receiving votes: East Stroudsburg (1-2) 37; Young Harris (8-3) 37; Cal State San Marcos (6-4) 30; Northwood (1-3) 23; Minnesota State (2-1) 15; St. Edward’s (5-2) 13; Westmont (5-2) 8; Delta State (5-2) 6; Bentley (0-0) 6; Molloy (0-0) 4; Francis Marion (9-1) 4; Harding (6-1) 3; Lander (8-3) 1.
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.