OSU Softball Enters National Rankings at No. 22
March 01, 2016 | Softball
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Following a 14-2 start, tied for the best record at this point in program history, along with multiple wins over quality opponents, the Oregon State softball team has entered the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll ranked at No. 22.
The Beavers are tied at No. 22 with their Friday opponent, the Baylor Bears (11-3). Each school is receiving 62 votes.
Oregon State (14-2) enters the national rankings for the first time this season, and is nationally ranked for the first time by a major poll since April 2, 2013, when the Beavers were ranked No. 24 in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll. Oregon State was last ranked by the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll on May 13, 2012, also at No. 24.
Most recently, Oregon State defeated then-No. 12/11 and currently No. 14/13 Oklahoma (10-4), 6-4, in a dramatic comeback highlighted by a three-run, walk-off home run by junior third baseman Madison Anthony. At the season-opening Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz., Oregon State defeated then-No. 19 and currently No. 17/16 Kentucky (14-2) in an 8-0, run-rule victory behind a two-hit shutout from freshman right-hander Meehra Nelson.
Oregon State is one of six Pac-12 schools nationally ranked this week, joining No. 7/8 Oregon (12-4), No. 8/7 Washington (12-3), No. 13/15 UCLA (9-6), No. 15/18 Arizona (11-5) and No. 19/17 Arizona State (15-2). Through three weeks, Oregon State's 14-2 record ranks as the second-best in the Pac-12, behind only Arizona State's 15-2 mark.
The Oregon State softball team returns to action on Friday for a 5:30 p.m. PT matchup with the Baylor Bears. Friday's matchup marks the first of a challenging slate at the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif., where the Beavers are also set to face 2015 Women's College World Series participant and No. 3/2-ranked Michigan, as well as No. 22/21 Fresno State, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
For more information on the Oregon State softball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/OregonStateSB, by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateSB or on Instagram at Instagram.com/OregonStateSB.
About OSU Athletics: The mission of the OSU Department of Athletics is to provide opportunities to young people and develop leaders through a tradition of academic and athletic achievement in a progressive, inclusive environment of mutual respect.
