ORLANDO – On the heels of a perfect 6-0 week, the UCF softball team has re-joined the national top 25 rankings with its appointment as the No. 23 team in the nation in Softball America’s week five top 25 poll.
This week marks the second this season that has seen UCF represent a ranked squad, as the Knights were also tabbed No. 25 following their 4-2 showing in week two that included the team’s 5-1 win over then-No. 10 LSU in Clearwater.
The Knights are joined in this week’s top 25 by fellow Big 12 schools Texas Tech (No. 2), Oklahoma State (No. 13), and Arizona (No. 18), and other 2026 opponents Florida (No. 8), Nebraska (No. 9), Georgia (No. 12), LSU (No. 16), and Penn State (No. 22).
The complete Softball America week five Top 25 poll can be found below.
| Rank | School | Overall Record | Week 4 Record | Last Week |
| 1 | Tennessee | 19-0 | 5-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Texas Tech * | 22-1 | 6-0 | 2 |
| 3 | Texas | 19-1 | 5-0 | 3 |
| 4 | Alabama | 20-0 | 7-0 | 4 |
| 5 | Arkansas | 19-1 | 6-0 | 5 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 19-2 | 6-0 | 6 |
| 7 | UCLA | 18-3 | 5-0 | 10 |
| 8 | Florida * | 23-1 | 4-1 | 7 |
| 9 | Nebraska * | 14-5 | 3-1 | 8 |
| 10 | Florida State | 17-4 | 5-0 | 9 |
| 11 | Virginia Tech | 16-2 | 5-0 | 11 |
| 12 | Georgia * | 17-5 | 4-1 | 12 |
| 13 | Oklahoma State * | 15-5 | 4-1 | 13 |
| 14 | Oregon | 13-6 | 5-0 | 14 |
| 15 | Virginia | 19-1 | 7-0 | 15 |
| 16 | LSU * | 17-4 | 5-0 | 17 |
| 17 | Mississippi State | 18-2 | 4-1 | 16 |
| 18 | Arizona | 17-5 | 5-0 | 19 |
| 19 | Texas A&M | 15-7 | 5-1 | 18 |
| 20 | Grand Canyon | 22-0 | 6-0 | 23 |
| 21 | Stanford | 11-6 | 1-2 | 20 |
| 22 | Penn State * | 16-4 | 3-2 | 24 |
| 23 | UCF | 20-4 | 6-0 | RV |
| 24 | South Carolina | 15-6 | 6-1 | 21 |
| 25 | Washington | 15-6 | 5-0 | NR |
* Denotes 2026 opponent
UP NEXT
The No. 23 UCF softball team is set for its Big 12 Conference opener in Stillwater this weekend, as the Knights will clash with the No. 13 Cowgirls March 6-8. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. ET Friday evening and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.