Feb. 27, 2002
WACO, Texas - Off to the best start in school history at 23-2, Baylor's softball team received 17 votes in this week's USA Today/NFCA Top 25, released Wednesday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The Lady Bears, who join 21-0 Georgia as the only teams in the nation with at least 20 wins, are three spots out of the Top 25, third among teams also receiving votes.
"We're happy to get consideration for the Top 25," said Baylor head coach Glenn Moore, who picked up career victory No. 200 Sunday in the Lady Bears' 5-1 win over San Diego State. "We've taken care of business in the first part of the season, maybe better than I expected us to do. But the girls realize that it is a long season and there is a lot of softball still to be played."
UCLA, who replaced preseason No. 1 Arizona for the top spot in the poll last week, remained the nation's top-ranked team. No. 2 Arizona and No. 3 Stanford, who Baylor plays next Tuesday in Palo Alto, Calif., switched places. Nebraska moved from ninth to fourth after winning last weekend's NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga., and Louisiana State remained fifth. California, Michigan, Oklahoma, Arizona State and Pacific rounded out the top 10.
Texas A&M gave the Big 12 Conference three teams in the Top 25, the Aggies moved into the poll at No. 23.
Baylor's schedule will get decidedly more difficult over the next two weeks. This weekend, the Lady Bears will face Wisconsin at the Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Badgers are two spots ahead of Baylor, just 15 votes from cracking the Top 25.
After playing at Stanford next Tuesday, Baylor will spend March 8-10 at the Hallowell Classic, hosted by No. 13 Fresno State. Big 12 play begins March 12 for the Lady Bears as they host Texas A&M for a 6 p.m. game at Getterman Stadium.
"It's time we see better competition," Moore said. "This team is growing a lot, but it may be time for a reality check - time to see just how good we are. I'm becoming more and more confident with this team everyday, but now it's time to take on some stronger teams."
For the complete poll, go to www.nfca.org.
