ORLANDO – Following a weekend in which the UCF Softball team run ruled then No. 12 Tennessee twice, outscoring them 19-2, the Knights have moved their way into national consideration, earning Top 25 ranks in both the Softball America and D1 Softball Top 25 Polls.
UCF is ranked as high as 21 in the Softball America Top 25 Poll, released on Tuesday. Meanwhile, D1 Softball has the Knights tabbed as the 25th best team in the nation.
The Black and Gold are currently receiving votes in both the USA Today/NFCA and ESPN/USA Softball Top 25 polls.
UCF was last ranked in the Top 25 in week 13 of the 2016 season, where the Knights finished 38-22 and made it to the NCAA regional tournament.
The highest ranking the Knights have ever received came in 2015, when they were pegged as the 13th best team in the nation in weeks 15 and 16 in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll. UCF would go on to post a 50-9 record that season, was crowned the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament champion, and advanced to the NCAA regional tournament. After starting the year 13-2, this year's Knights squad has tied the 2015 team's record as the best 15-game start in program history.
UCF's remaining schedule features four squads that are currently ranked in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 poll, including No. 9 Florida State, who the Knights will take on Wednesday in Tallahassee, Fla., and No. 1 UCLA, who the Knights will do battle with on March 6 in Los Angeles, Calif.
You can view the full rankings from each Top 25 poll below:
USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Poll
ESPN/USA Softball Top 25 Poll
Softball America Top 25 Poll
D1 Softball Top 25 Poll
ON DECK
UCF heads up to Tallahassee on Wednesday to do battle with No. 9 FSU. The game will be broadcasted live on ACC Network Extra.
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