April 17, 2002

WACO, Texas - Baylor softball dropped one spot in this week's USA Today/NFCA Top 25, released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association today. The Lady Bears stand at No. 23, one of five Big 12 Conference schools in this week's rankings.

Baylor (41-13, 8-5) is currently fourth in the Big 12 standings behind Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. The Lady Bears face Texas A&M, who remained at No. 24 in this week's poll, tonight at 6:30 p.m. in College Station, Texas. Baylor defeated A&M 4-0 in Waco earlier this season.

Arizona remained at No. 1 for the second consecutive week and widened its lead over No. 2 UCLA. The Wildcats garnered all but one of the 27 first-place votes, the Bruins received on first-place nod. The top eight spots remained unchanged with Stanford at No. 3, followed by Nebraska, Louisiana State, Arizona State, Cal State Fullerton and California. Washington and Florida Atlantic round out the top 10.

Oklahoma dropped two spots to No. 11 after being swept by Texas at home Sunday. The Longhorns, who also posted a 2-0 victory over Baylor last week, jumped two spots to No. 16.

One other Big 12 team is nearing the Top 25, Oklahoma State is two spots out with 10 total votes. Baylor plays a two-game series at OSU this weekend. The Lady Bears and the Cowgirls play Saturday at 2 p.m. CDT and Sunday at 1 p.m.

For the complete USA Today/NFCA Top 25, go to www.nfca.org.