UCF Softball Jumps In All Major RankingsUCF Softball Jumps In All Major Rankings

UCF Softball Jumps In All Major Rankings

Opens in a new window Softball America Top 25 Opens in a new window 2022 USA Today / NFCA Division I Top 25 Softball Coaches Poll Opens in a new window D1Softball Top 25 Opens in a new window NCAA RPI Opens in a new window ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25

ORLANDO – The UCF softball team took leaps in each of the four major polls as well as the NCAA's RPI this week ahead of four matchups against top 10 opponents. The Knights check in at No. 20 in the USA Softball rankings and No. 22 in the NCFA Top 25. They sit at No. 20 in D1Softball's poll, No. 18 in Softball America and are 12th in the official RPI.

The Black and Gold dominated the War On I-4 this weekend, sweeping the Bulls in a three-game series in Tampa. The three victories extended UCF's winning streak to 18 games, the third longest active streak in the country, and evened the War On I-4 all-time series at 19-19.

UCF climbs one spot in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25, sliding up from No. 23 to No. 22. The NFCA's Top 25 was the poll that ranked the Knights the highest out of any of the four major polls until this point. The other major poll, the ESPN/USA Softball Top 25, has the Black and Gold jumping from No. 24 to No. 20 this week. D1Softball also has the Knights leaping up to No. 20 after previously being ranked No. 23 last week. Softball America has UCF ranked the highest in their poll out of any of the four that are officially recognized by the NCAA, checking in at No. 18 after being ranked No. 24 last week.

For the first time in program history, the Knights are ranked ahead of the Florida Gators in the NCAA's RPI as the Black and Gold are sitting at No. 12, one spot ahead of Florida. UCF debuted at No. 19 in week four, the first release of the RPI. They remained there in week five before jumping to No. 15 in week six and sliding up to No. 12 on Monday.

UCF is set to embark on it's toughest stretch of the season yet. They'll match up with No. 7 Florida on Wednesday before hosting No. 5 Virginia Tech in a three-game series. Florida is No. 13 in the RPI while Virginia Tech is No. 3.

The Knights' still have a bit of a way to go to get to their best rankings in program history, but a solid week from the Black and Gold could certainly go a long way in making progress on the highest marks. UCF was tabbed as high as No. 13 in the USA Today/NFCA poll back in week 15 of 2015; their highest in the ESPN/USA Softball rankings was No. 14 back in week 14 of 2015.

If UCF is perfect through its next four contests, they will set the highest winning streak in program history at 22 games.

UP NEXT
The Knights will visit No. 6 Florida in a midweek matchup on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Gainesville, Fla. The two sides met earlier in the season with the Gators coming away with a 12-11 victory.

FOLLOW THE KNIGHTS
Stay tuned to UCF Softball on Facebook (/UCFSoftball), Twitter (@UCF_Softball) and Instagram (@UCF.Softball) for the latest on the UCF softball team.

GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Knights app right to your iOS or Android phone! The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news. Download the app here.